VIRGINIA BEACH — February is Library Lovers Month — and libraries across the commonwealth are encouraging their long-time and new patrons to celebrate.
Lisa Varga, executive director of the Virginia Library Association, said the easiest way to show love to your library is by signing up for a library card if you don’t have one.
For folks wanting to do more, Varga urged them to let their local public officials know just how important the library is to them.
“There are so many things that libraries do that a lot of our financial decision-makers don’t necessarily know, about because there’s so much to keep track of,” said Varga. “So, if you are someone who has benefited from a wifi hotspot, from being able to borrow materials that you could not otherwise afford, let the people know that you enjoy and appreciate your public library.”
There are 94 public library systems across the Commonwealth. That ranges from one-building to multi-branch systems.
One study finds that 63% of libraries are funded through a local city or county government, while 29% are funded through an independent library district.
Varga said libraries are important for those seeking an affordable way to do academic research — and combating the loneliness epidemic. She said it’s vital that information remains free.
“We are a distinct feature in each community,” said Varga, “and it’s really important that access to information and access to resources be shared and be publicly available to people. ”
The first lending library in the U.S. was founded in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. Residents of Franklin asked Benjamin Franklin, the town’s namesake, to donate a bell to the town.
Instead, Franklin donated a collection of books to the town, believing “sense” was more important than “sound.” The town’s residents voted to make the books freely available to all of its citizens.
