Public Libraries as a Foundation of Knowledge Economy

If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead to. The free mind is not a barking dog, to be tethered on a ten-foot chain. -Adlai E. Stevenson Jr.

Ages ago, even before the birth of Christ, knowledge existed!! As Aristotle, the Greek Philosopher said, all men by nature desire knowledge.

But then it got transferred from generation to generation through words-voices-and-memories. Then time came when kings started ruling and spreading news and contacting people using human power. Men on horses were sent to communicate. They carried scrolls which in turn contained information. Later on birds such as pigeons were used as a means of communication. Then centuries later it got onto the air and television and radio got on. Then time has come when people say they get to know things in a fraction of a second! They just type the word they get in their minds and the whole world is brought just in front of them and just for them to become resourceful. That’s what human knowledge has brought out of itself!

When you know a thing to hold it, and when you do not know a thing to allow that you do not know it-this is knowledge. -Confucius.

Yeah! Of course, such knowledge can be obtained only by serious efforts and not by inheritance. Public libraries are ones which help all categories of the society up bring good knowledge and wisdom within themselves. A good book can be the best companion a student can ever be with. And when these kinds of books are available at one place and that too affordable can help instill goodness in the spirit both young and old. That’s basically how public libraries are serving the society.

Public libraries which employ professional librarians are very helpful. They help the business personnel to work out plans and also preparing on marketing studies. It gives expansive knowledge not just confined to a little. These libraries also house computers with network which in turn is of assistance to so many other youngsters in job hunts! These libraries also have a great collection of children’s classics, those which help write students’ assignments and of various other interests. It is a collection of resources which helps mainly the business community and those preparing for various interviews, group discussions and competitive examinations.

Once really silence persists that would be a heaven for all those book lovers out there. But how many of the public are utilizing it and how often and how effective? Considering all these, the budget is being specified for construction and maintenance of these libraries. But budget-cut to such necessities will lead to shutting down of neighboring existing public libraries only. It is always better to form foundations to meet the budget deficits which these monuments of knowledge face. If this is not properly taken care of, then most of the middle class and lower class population ultimately suffer the downfall which in turn may lead to a human-power deficit and all the more knowledge deficit in the coming future.

And not to stop with that, it essentially needs citizen support. So it’s very wise of the rulers and the ruled of the places to substantiate the service of a public library, in their minds, to the society and make ‘use’ of them instead of ‘lose’ them, after all, without using them!

Nisha Daniel