Published Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:08 AM
Updated Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:08 AM

 

Libraries a reason to celebrate

Dear Editor:

Earlier this month, South Carolina celebrated National Library Week.

In your lifetime, libraries have been an integral part of communities. In South Carolina, we are fortunate to have 188 public libraries and over 1,000 school libraries. Public libraries alone have 2,312,168 registered users with borrowing privileges, and all are open to the public, library card holders or not.

How wonderful is it to have an institution to which an individual can go, at no cost, to learn something new, broaden their horizons, better themselves and, in turn, better their community? What better place can a parent take children to introduce them to the world of reading and media? Years ago, who could guess that the public library would provide a gateway for all ages to the vast information of the Internet?

Our libraries are a wealth of information, and as such a treasure in every county in South Carolina. I urge you to take time to celebrate the importance of your library. Visit your library and discover all the wonder that is contained within its walls. Play an active part in keeping South Carolina’s libraries a most valuable asset for all, and for generations to come.

Michael A. Burkhart

President, Friends of South Carolina Libraries