Libraries Build Community

 

                 At a time when corner coffee shops and neighborhood stores have become links in national chains, libraries are uniquely local institutions that reflect and sustain their  individual communities. Far more than collections of books, today's libraries are places to meet, use a computer, view an exhibit or get help with homework.  Working in partnership with government, education, business and civic organizations, libraries of all types - public, school, college and university - provide services and programs that support literate, productive and informed communities.

 

How Libraries build Community

 

Libraries are great places for kids. Their collections and services are designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning. In addition to books and other multimedia resources, the Smith Public Library offers weekly story time, Summer Reading Club, programs throughout the year, access to CD-ROM resources, full-text magazine articles, public Internet access, and many other services. 

 

Libraries bridge the "information divide." A recent Department of Commerce report cites public libraries as playing a critical role in making information technology accessible to all. For many adults, the public library is their first hands-on experience with a computer.

 

Libraries protect our right to know. As public forums for information, library policies and programs are designed to serve the wide range of needs and interests of people in their communities. Librarians are committed to defending the right to read.

 

Libraries are for everyone. One of our great democratic institutions, libraries are part of the American dream, providing people of all ages, beliefs,  ethnic and financial backgrounds with the resources they need to learn and grow for a lifetime. Even the most economically challenged parents can give their children the key to success - a library card.

  Libraries support a community of readers.  Libraries promote literacy at an early age with preschool story times. They also promote a lifelong reading habit with special collections and programs to entice young adult readers. The Library offers GED classes that are taught by Sue Wilson, a Wylie ISD English Teacher.  Classes are open to the public and offered every Tuesday during the school year. 

 

  Libraries are a shared community resource. Conceived by Benjamin Franklin as a means of extending books to the working class, today's public libraries offer a vast array of books, magazines and videotapes, CDs, books on tape and other resources. An extensive "interlibrary loan" network makes library collections available to those living in other cities and states.   The Smith Public Library can request materials from libraries throughout the United States and check them out to you.  This is a free service.  Want to find a list of day care centers or gardening clubs? The Smith Public Library has a program room available during library hours by reservation only. 

  

Libraries support lifelong learning. Learning never ends at the library. Its programs and services are designed to help people of all ages and economic backgrounds to learn and grow for a lifetime. "Tuition" is free. All it takes is a library card.  

   

Libraries support a productive workforce. For job seekers, libraries provide essential resources, whether it's researching job opportunities, learning how to write a resume or interview successfully. Libraries also provide invaluable resources for small businesses seeking to expand their markets and competitiveness.

 

Libraries foster community identity. No two libraries are alike. They are funded mainly with local tax dollars. Their collections are designed to serve the unique needs of their communities. Local history collections provide a direct link to the history and traditions of each community.

 

Libraries are a source of community pride. From the earliest frontier days, libraries have been a symbol of culture and learning. Today, communities large and small are investing in new and refurbished public, school and academic libraries as essential resources in the information age. Many indexes such as Money magazine and School Match use the quality of local libraries as criteria in rating quality of life in local communities.

 

Libraries are a "port of entry." For many people, the library is where they turn to learn more about their new community. For newcomers from other countries, many libraries offer English classes, foreign language collections and other services to help ease their transition.  The Smith Public Library has materials available on other languages with an emphasis on English as a Second Language.

 

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A number of snack vending machines are electrically operated. There are snack vending machines that are see-through or have fronts which are glass-made. Various snack vending machines can only dispense as little as six or ten types of snacks or it can sell a wide range of snack and beverage choices.