In tight economic times, with libraries sliding farther…
“In tight economic times, with libraries sliding farther and farther down the list of priorities, we risk the loss of their ideals, intelligence, and knowledge, not to mention their commitment to access for all—librarians consider free access to information the foundation of democracy, and they’re right. Librarians are essential players in the information revolution because they level that field. They enable those without money or education to read and learn the same things as the billionaire and the Ph.D…In tough times, a librarian is a terrible thing to waste.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Libraries provide free, equal access to information, sustaining democracy and education especially during economic hardship.
In simple terms: Libraries give everyone equal access to knowledge.
Support and protect libraries.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- budget cuts
- community learning
- digital divide
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can communities defend library funding?
- What role do libraries play in social mobility?
Funding cuts can limit services and resources.