the big house library

 
The San Francisco Chronicle featured 3 op-ed articles about Bay Area libraries this Sunday, November 8, 2009.

In Great Cities Need Libraries Now, More Than Ever, San Francisco Librarian Luis Herrera describes libraries as "beacons of hope during these challenging times."

In Library Success Story in Lafayette, the mayor and a former city council member explain that in a city where "local schools are among the top in the state, ... the  expectation to have an outstanding library [was ] widely shared."

But California Libraries -- Where the Action Is has my favorite quote of all! :)

"Publicly funded libraries were established in the mid-19th century with the idea that a democracy wouldn't last very long without an enlightened citizenry. Closely related to that idea, libraries have also come to stand for the notion that anyone at any age is capable of self-improvement through self-education... Libraries, as purveyors of information in all its current forms, are still pursuing the exalted goal of an educated and enlightened citizenry."

Whether with traditional materials like books and magazines, or emerging technologies like ebooks and databases, the Big House Library will continue to promote the ideal of democracy and pursue the goal of educating and enlightening our citizenry -- our students -- every day that our doors are open.

Thanks to the Chronicle for showcasing libraries this Sunday, especially the awesome ones in the Bay Area! :)