THE CULTURE & INTELLIGENCE OF A COMMUNITY


          One of my writer's critique group friends, Annie, brought me this awesome card from an old library book. I believe she said the book was from the '20s. The wording is so antiquated, it's kind of endearing. Most kids probably wouldn't realize that "leaves" are actually pages, and "marker" refers to a bookmark, not a Sharpie (that would be very bad!). And it's just so bossy. I love it.
          I genuinely love #5, and wish that more people understood this very important philosophy behind the public library as an institution.
          People seem to have lost or forgotten the belief that "the culture and intelligence of a community" can be determined by its usage of libraries.  Just look at all the layoffs, cutbacks, and reductions in staffing to public and school libraries all across California.