Library
Giving thanks to one of the few open-to-all institutions America got right.
Weekly Three
HEAR: “People” by Andrew Jackson Jihad. People are my religion, because I believe in them / People are my enemies and people are my friends / I have faith in my fellow man / And I only hope that he has faith in me.
READ: Who could dogs become if humans disappeared tomorrow? Here’s a very interesting article by bioethicist Jessica Pierce on posthuman dogs.
VIEW: I found these rare photos of Brooklyn’s black history very interesting. They dispel a lot of stereotypes by showing “a lot of instances of cooperation and friendship” between black and white communities.
No. 52: Library
Off the top of my head, there's only one indoor, public space offered to everyone in the United States regardless of anything.
The library.
Almost every town in the United States has one. How awesome is that?
So why do most overlook it? Probably because most of the stuff you can do at the library, you can do elsewhere.
But it’ll cost you. The library is free (funded by a very small portion of tax-payer money). And it’s so much more than just a building filled with books.
At the most basic level, the library is an air-conditioned shelter complete with desks, chairs, bathrooms, and water. It’s a home away from home if you need it—an office, a meeting place.
At the library, you can rent movies and music, browse through old and new newspapers and magazines, use computers and printers and copy machines, view archival photographs, or just make use of the public wi-fi network.
And, of course, you can access thousands and thousands of books.
Besides police departments and fire departments, there aren’t many services the state offers all citizens that have as much immediate value as the library.
But what if there were?
A vote for Mateo for President is a vote for state-run cafes for all. It’s time to get this Starbucks plague under control. No, we will not offer frappes. No, we will not sell egg bites. But what we will do is create cozy, well-lit, wi-fi supported public cafes where drip coffee can be had for free and espresso will run you a modest .50 cents. Because we know access to work and study spaces (and coffee) are vital to a happy, productive community.
But that’s not all. Drawing on the concept of libraries, the Mateo Administration pledges to build state-financed activity centers in every county. Membership is free and gains you access to a full gym, an olympic-grade track and field, a swimming pool, and experienced coaches to guide you on your fitness journey. Because we know access to exercise space and equipment is necessary to create a happy, healthy society.
Last, but certainly not least, a Mateo-led future will see the clearing of small parcels of land in every city and suburb, where public vegetable and fruit gardens will be made available to Americans who have been surrounded by fast food establishments for too long. There, with the guidance of experienced farmers, Americans young and old will learn to plant, nurture, and grow fresh food at no cost to them. Because we know access fertile soil and better food education is important for our people to live long-lasting, fulfilling lives.
For now, let us be grateful for—and make use of—the public spaces we have. Namely, public libraries and the librarians that operate them, one of very few open-to-all services America got right. ♦
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