Libraries in Response

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Libraries are under siege like we haven’t seen, at least in the US, ever. GLN is encouraging library endorsements today (every day!) in accord with Freedom to Read , as a partial counter to this challenge to rights of free expression and of private inquiry. Among all the many and varied services libraries provide, they do it for free and...

Libraries Are…!

More voices in support of libraries

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The Gigabit Libraries Network(GLN) today is joined by prominent non-librarian speakers from its Libraries in Response (LIR) web series to bring positive attention to this humble yet proud public institution, the local community library.

An effective way to appreciate the many and varied services libraries provide for free to anyone, is to ask simply “What is a library today?,” says GLN Director, Don Means. “So we asked a group of notable speakers from the 5+ year-long LIR series. Wonderful answers quickly followed!”

Libraries are…!

"Libraries are bastions of democracy, assuring that information is broadly and freely available to the general public. Their accessibility efforts are legendary and multiform. They have evolved to be centers of community engagement in many different ways. They are 'must-support' in my book (no pun intended)!”

- Vint Cerf, internet pioneer

"Libraries are multi-service public facilities and dispensers of a large number of benefits to a community. This is great! This is totally wonderful! Give them more funds. Let them give still more services. This is totally the way to go!”

- Reed Hundt, Fmr. FCC Chair and CEO, Coalition for Green Capital

"Libraries are promoters of Democracy; they facilitate voting, prepare immigrants for citizenship, and encourage literacy and freedom for all to read. Support them as an example of the "institutional wealth" that is crucial for our social and economic progress.”

- Deborah Fallows, linguist and co-author of Our Towns.

“Libraries are the last secular institution that welcomes you because you are *you*, and not because you've got a couple bucks in your wallet. I'm not a customer of a library, I'm its patron. As a patron my duty - and yours - is to ensure the health of this marvelous institution.”

- Cory Doctorow, blogger and author

"Libraries are magical--maybe the most magical institution humans ever came up with. We should be expanding them at every turn! “One reason I've always loved writing books because it meant that my work was always available free to anyone who wanted or needed it.”

- Bill McKibben, environmentalist and author

"Libraries are a community’s uniquely trusted institution in the digital era amid the daunting challenges of pervasive mis- and disinformation. As artificial intelligence extends its reach deeply into our everyday lives, that role of trustworthy intermediary will become only more crucial to our collective well being.”

- Richard Whitt, author and president of the Glia Foundation

“Libraries are islands of truth in a typhoon of disinformation.”

Kal Kallaugher, Economist Political Cartoonist

Libraries are…!

Libraries are the Swiss Army knife of public institutions offering more and varied services to more people than any other.

Libraries are early adopters, showcases, community labs and testbeds for emerging technologies.

Libraries are "second responders" to crises and disasters from regional to personal.

Libraries are a human face for e-government serving as guides in navigating the online world of public services.

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Based in Sausalito, CA, the Gigabit Libraries Network operates as an open collaboration of tech savvy, innovation libraries cooperating as a distributed global testbed/showcase environment for high performance applications and equipment in the service of educational, civic and cultural objectives. http://giglibraries.net

Libraries in Response is a co-production of GLN and the International Federation of Library Institutions and Associations (IFLA.org) based in The Hague. -See all recorded sessions on the LIR Youtube channel.

(* see notice on RECORDING below)

2025 LIR Sponsors and Supporters:

New Jersey State Library
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Mission Telecom
Washington State Library
Delaware State Library

* Notice: All Session RECORDINGS found on LIR Youtube Channel.by following Monday, if not sooner. Subscribe!

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