Fountain of youth for libraries

Libraries aren’t quite an endangered species yet, but the internet has been encroaching on the domain of printed books for years.

It’s painful to think books (and, by association, reading printed material) are declining in popularity, yet that seems to be the case.

After six straight years of growth in print sales, 2019 is off to a rocky start for publishers, according to Publishers Weekly. Growth in print sales is trending down, with 2019 showing a decline so far.

The overall market is down by about 2.5% from last year, according to Publishers Weekly, thanks in part to a 2.9% decrease in the first quarter of 2019. There was no blockbuster novel or non-fiction work to lift interest or sales.

Now, libraries aren’t bookstores, but the passion for books appears to be waning as more readers turn to the internet, social media and audio books that can be played in cars. E-books, too, are trending downward, according to Publishers Weekly.

Public libraries serve their local communities in many ways. And the more rural or economically disadvantaged a community is, the more its library is essential for it to thrive. That’s why giving libraries access to more state funding to improve their facilities so they can serve their communities better is an excellent idea.

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-106, will fund up to 90% of certain public libraries’ construction, renovation or rehabilitation projects. Most such projects in the targeted communities pertain to installing broadband or updating library buildings to be more ADA-compliant.

Libraries continue to function as major hubs in their communities. Not only that, they are cornerstones and democratic institutions that provide resources and access to information to all, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how rich or poor they are.

The Twin Counties is one area that relies on public libraries. These libraries, like most others, are not just about books. They feature programs for children and teens. They offer internet service to people who don’t have internet, a reason expansion of broadband goes hand in hand with libraries. Just as important, funds for renovation are needed for local libraries that are aging.

Funding has been approved for libraries many times in the past. But age and competition are taking a toll. Now is the time to do it again.