The point of a library's existence is not persuasion or…
“The point of a library's existence is not persuasion or evangelism, but knowledge. It is irrelevant to the good library whether, as an institution, it shares or promotes your core values or mine, or the Attorney General's or Saddam Hussein's. The library is always an instrument of choice, and the choice is always yours, not your elected or designated leaders.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Libraries serve as neutral repositories of knowledge, independent of political or moral agendas.
In simple terms: Libraries provide knowledge, not persuasion.
Key Takeaway
Use libraries for unbiased information.
Themes
knowledge
neutrality
access
Mood
analytical
hopeful
Type
informational
reflective
When to use this quote
- school research
- community learning
- policy making
- digital archives
Key Concepts
information ethics
public good
Questions to Reflect On
- How can libraries stay independent?
- What role should libraries play in controversial topics?
A Different Perspective
Funding pressures may threaten neutrality.