Libraries: The Writer's House

Sometimes when I speak to writing students about the pleasure I get from going to the library, their eyes glaze over in a total loss of interest. Other times, they purse their lips, hoping I won't ask them if they also go to the library, as they likely don't. The American Library Association estimates that only two-thirds of Americans hold library cards. This number is ten percent less than eligible Americans registered to vote. While news stories abound about low voter turnout in the United States, similar spotlights about diminishing library usage seem to be ignored.

 One of the greatest benefits of living in the modern world is our access to virtually any book, journal, or magazine at no cost. Yet too many people do not take advantage of this unique privilege. Even more surprisingly, many people who want to improve their writing skills avoid libraries.

But the library is a writer's house. It is an endless reservoir of ideas, the best place to break writer's block, an indispensable source of inspiration, and the perfect site for bringing meaning and value to human lives. Want to be a better writer? Get a library card!