Blog 7: The significance of the public library today

The significance of the public library today

There has been a need for a repository of knowledge; this term has been gradually changed to library. Ancient civilisations saw a need to create these repositories. This is only one stepping stone to further developments down the track of innovative developments within the library world.

**image courtesy of ThinkQuest

“The library is a temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars of history.” Carl Rowan

Libraries provide information from every subject in the world, knowledge is wisdom. Wisdom is a valuable tool in moving forward in society to unravelling understanding and insight. Learning is appreciated by individuals from different backgrounds, ages and experiences and always will be. Reading, exploration is and recreational reading is avenue of interest for many. The government has an obligation to provide this service to the public. Libraries allow you to immerse yourself in research and endless discovery.  Librarians can provide you with a professional reference service, which can provide you with access points to your enquiry.

“A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life. “ Henry Ward Beecher

Libraries offer a space where you can study, read books, spend a few hours without interruption. Libraries are crucial underpinning establishments of education and community. A library offers more than meets the eye and should be treated as such; the libraries of the past and present have always provided valuable contributions to the camaraderie.

Reflection on blogging experience

I found the more resources I consulted the deeper my understanding and unravelling of the subject was. My research strategy was where I was looking for key points and expanding on those chosen key points to at least one paragraph. I began to understand the all-important role of the library; I also spend time reading before actually writing down any thoughts.  Research is a time consuming activity but if you narrow down to specific topics one by one it can be completed at a faster rate. Searching for broad terms did get results; however overlooking all the findings may be too extensive. I always found it useful to use an advanced search option if possible.

References:

Wikipedia, 2010, Public Library, The Wikimedia Foundation, viewed 1 October 2010, <http://www.kunstpedia.com/articles/the-map-collections-of-the-british-museum-library.html>

Timeline 2010, Timeline, Google, viewed 1 October 2010, <http://www.google.com.au/#q=history+of+libraries+britain&hl=en&biw=1347&bih=538&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=vxKpTKX7O5OjcYu5pJkN&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CEkQ5wIwCg&fp=1&cad=b>

History Magazine, 2010, Survivor: The History of the Library, History Magazine, viewed 1 October 2010, <http://www.history-magazine.com/libraries.html>

 Twait, 2001, Favourite Library Quotes, Gustavus Adolphus College, viewed 1 October 2010, <http://homepages.gac.edu/~mtwait/favquotes.htm>

Woodhead, 2010, The incalculable cultural significance of The Library, MeanLand, viewed 1 October 2010, < http://meanland.com.au/blog/post/the-incalculable-cultural-significance-of-the-library>