National Library Week

Today is the second day of National Library Week, which is celebrated in the United States in the second full week of April. Sponsored by the American Library Association, the week calls attention to one of the most important and least appreciated elements of American culture - the public library.

This year, National Library Week focuses on the transformation of the library from a place for the storage and circulation of books to a place where people can come together to read, listen to the spoken word, watch movies, go online, and indulge in their creativity. 

Books are expensive, but public libraries are free - they are one of the great tax-subsidized* benefits available to us all. All the knowledge of the ages is at our fingertips, stored, indexed, and curated by professional librarians and volunteers dedicated to the preservation and sharing of knowledge. 

Make time this week to visit your local library, especially with your children or grandchildren. Whether you're looking for the latest thriller or more information about a topic in the news, it's one of the best ways you can spend your time. 

Have a good day. Read more. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo

* All you people who hate paying taxes need to just put a sock in it for a while.