Some of my fondest memories from childhood include browsing the Book Mobile on my grandma’s street and visiting my local library to check out my next book or attend community events. When I grew up and had kids of my own, the library was a free place we could go to get out of the house and explore stories and activities with other moms and their kids.

Knowledge is power and cutting free access to the information a library holds will negatively impact our society in a drastic way. Being able to talk to a human librarian who will guide you to resources that will help you find answers to your questions is extremely different than Googling on the internet. Librarians have a vast knowledge of how to find reliable information. The internet doesn’t filter out unreliable sources for us.

The library serves as a free gathering place for the community. My family and I have attended piano recitals, book clubs, storytime, Harry Potter nights, babysitting classes and many more community events. We need connection and a space to gather more now than ever. The former Attorney Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has declared an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in our nation. The public library is one of the last truly inclusive spaces where everyone is welcome regardless of beliefs, economic status, gender or race.

In a time of worry, fear and polarization, the library is an uplifting force. As Lauren Ward stated, “Libraries always remind me there are good things in the world.”

Supporting our libraries means supporting education, equity, and community resilience. As budgets are proposed and decisions are made, I urge our leaders and neighbors alike to recognize the essential role libraries play–and to fund, protect, and support them accordingly.

Tenille Jensen

Woods Cross

Libraries are our greatest refuge. They are the hold out of truth and information in an age of the internet and falsehoods. We need libraries to be places people can go for information and help. A great many resources are at libraries that students and workers alike need and we have to keep these vital locations open. Please cover their importance so that people can know the truth about them and not get sucked into the book banning lies that are destroying our country.

Jacie Spivey

Clearfield

In every town/city, the library is the heart of education similar to a church as the soul of religion. The library serves the community in providing access to books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, music and computer/information technology for the educational awareness and cultural appreciation of society. Also the library is a place for social interaction where meetings can occur to bring together. Please keep libraries by continual providing funding from local governments.

Robert Okazaki

South Ogden