"The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library." – Albert Einstein
"Libraries are community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone equally…I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card." – First Lady Laura Bush
I have always loved libraries, and I know they’ve made a difference in my life. Coming to Aiken after a lifetime of teaching, I still love browsing in our library. I can feel the history there, too, and that’s part of the charm of Aiken.
Another part of Aiken’s charm is the number of people who are passionate about our community. Joye in Aiken, the Aiken Symphony, The Center for the Arts, and so many other organizations are part of a healthy community that values the common good. Sometimes, though, the public library seems overlooked, and that’s a surprise to me. When I mention its merits I sometimes hear “I don’t really use the library much” and I’d like to help change that!
I know well that digital media is changing our lives – I teach technology skills to senior citizens here in the McGrath Center at USCA. We are all finding new ways to communicate, read, and learn – and we can do that at home. But I know, too, that libraries are still the heart and center of many communities: not just books on shelves, but a place that brings people together to learn and explore, free and open to all. In this age of high tech for everyone, we need good libraries more than ever.
Libraries are in transition and that’s good. They are evolving. All around the world, libraries are changing to better serve the needs of citizens in a democracy. They are becoming places where people create and share. Did you know that our library is doing that, too?
The Friends of the Aiken Public library commissioned a preliminary study of our library in September of 2017. Working with Mary Jo Dawson (ABBE regional libraries director) and Jessica Christian (Aiken library director), staff suggestions were collected, each department layout was studied, and a Library Master Plan was created. It’s a good starting point. There’s no question it will be a challenge to plan for the future with a historic 128 year-old building in use as a library for 27 years.
But Aiken is up to the challenge, especially if the visionaries among us are involved. The planning for the future must start now, and if it involves all the community everyone benefits.
You can help. This week is National Library Week, and all around the country people are celebrating one of our greatest gifts. Come visit the Aiken library to browse, talk to the staff, and see things you may have missed. Your ideas may help us see a bright future for the library – and Aiken.
Dennis Harkins
