August 2013: From the Director's Chair

Libraries and Lighthouses: Beacons of Light

On August 7, 1789, through an Act of Congress, the federal government took over the maintenance of our nation's lighthouses. Two-hundred years later on August 7, 1989, Congress designated this date as National Lighthouse Day. The day honors and commemorates these beacons of light which throughout history have guided sailors to a safe harbor, especially during times of inclement weather. As with many aspects of history, the role of the lighthouse has diminished with the growth of more modern technology; however, they remain an important part of maritime history.

Many people feel the same way about libraries: that their reason to exist has diminished in this age of instant messaging and news, constant streaming of videos, and smart phones, etc. Many people see libraries as old fashioned and as useless as horse and buggy whips.

What is forgotten in this technology vs. libraries discussion is the concept of guidance. Libraries and librarians have always played an important part in guiding people to information that is accurate, factual, and relevant. Librarians guide children to information that assists with school work or to topics which fascinate the child, thus instilling in them a lifelong love of reading.

"Libraries and librarians have always played an important part in guiding people to information that is accurate, factual, and relevant."

Libraries and librarians are more essential than ever in a world of unverified and sometimes deliberately misleading information. Attempting to navigate this world of conflicting ideas and data is as difficult as ships navigating the rocky shores during a thunderstorm. If a person does not possess the skills to navigate this world of information, they may lose job opportunities, limit educational prospects, and/or miss out on the joy of reading a book and expanding one's horizons. Librarians teach these necessary and important skills everyday!

"Libraries remain the universal symbol of free access to information."

Just as lighthouses remain the universal symbol of safe harbor to ships and the communities that rely on the sea, libraries remain the universal symbol of free access to information and materials which level playing fields and make everyone an ambassador of education and learning!

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