I have a sorta friend that hates libraries because they are "pointless" and they would rather people be able to read informative books not some fantasy or romance, because they have no value libraries should only have important things not be a refuge to the homeless (where we are homeless tend to be in libraries which breaks my heart). I think what they say is treasonous because I grew up on libraries and they unfortunately seem to have no convincing in the matter. 'it could be digita"l or " they could buy it themselves books are cheap" and my least favourite " do you really need to read fifty shades of grey I see no importance in that shakespeare has more importance to society". Sorry for the length, I recently found your blog and love it libraries are kewl. :p
TLDR: A sorta friend hates libraries because they don't prioritise the important texts and I really don't know how to get them not.
here’s what i would say to your friend: libraries do have “important” texts, but they should reexamine why they perceive some texts as important and others as not. not everyone is going to the library to enlighten themselves with classics (heavy sarcasm in that) - some people want simpler or more exploratory texts that speak to their interests, reading level, or what they can handle as part of a busy life. in today’s literary crisis, any and all reading is important reading (plus, who decides what’s important and what’s not? who gets excluded when only certain people can write “important” texts?).
to the other point about homelessness, the modern public library’s purpose is twofold - to offer access to books and other media, and as a point of community building. homeless people are a part of our communities and deserve spaces where they feel welcome and safe. libraries are publicly funded and free so that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access not only to library materials but also to the building itself and the community it contains.
maybe your friend should get more active in their local library community and see all the amazing benefits outside of books that libraries have to offer :)
