Despite dire predictions in the late twentieth century that public
libraries would not survive the turn of the millennium, their
numbers have only increased. Two of three Americans frequent a
public library at least once a year, and nearly that many are
registered borrowers. Although library authorities have argued that
the public library functions primarily as a civic institution
necessary for maintaining democracy, generations of library patrons
tell a different story. In Part of Our Lives, Wayne A. Wiegand
delves into the heart of why Americans love their libraries. The
book traces the history of the public library, featuring records
and testimonies from as early as 1850. Rather than analyzing the
words of library founders and managers, Wiegand listens to the
voices of everyday patrons who cherished libraries. Drawing on
newspaper articles, memoirs, and biographies, Part of Our Lives
paints a clear and engaging picture of Americans who value
libraries not only as civic institutions, but also as public places
that promote and maintain community. Whether as a public space, a
place for accessing information, or a home for reading material
that helps patrons make sense of the world around them, the public
library has a rich history of meaning for millions of Americans.
From colonial times through the recent technological revolution,
libraries have continuously adapted to better serve the needs of
their communities. Wiegand demonstrates that, although cultural
authorities (including some librarians) have often disparaged
reading books considered not "serious," the commonplace reading
materials users obtained from public libraries have had a
transformative effect for many, including people such as Ronald
Reagan, Bill Moyers, Edgwina Danticat, Philip Roth, Toni Morrison,
Sonia Sotomayor, and Oprah Winfrey. A bold challenge to
conventional thinking about the American public library, Part of
Our Lives is an insightful look into of America's most beloved
cultural institutions.
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