Libraries, the Hidden Universities
2024.02.12
The summer between my junior and senior year of high school I participated in a week-long mission trip along with some of my classmates serving people in our city. Of the many places, we visited there was one stop that stood out, the VA nursing home. As our time at the nursing home came to a close a handful of us were standing outside with a lively gentleman, a World War II vet in a wheelchair and a white shirt. Though I couldn’t tell you his name or describe what he looked like I remember the words of wisdom he imparted to us seventeen-year-olds that warm sunny afternoon in early June.
“Libraries are our nation's greatest treasure,” he said, “because you have the opportunity to seek knowledge; to learn anything you want to learn. You can read, and read, and read.”
Although I had always known that public libraries enrich the lives of those in the community I had never stopped to think about just how beneficial libraries had already been to me and how beneficial they would be for my future.
Libraries are hidden universities within our community packed with resources for our betterment. We only must choose to utilize them. The modern library goes beyond just books. Through my public library, I have access to research databases, subscription-based news services, programs, makers spaces, and learning resources such as LinkedIn Learning to name a few resources the public library provides.
Over the past few years, I have borrowed audiobooks and utilized LinkedIn Learning to expand my knowledge. In that time I have acquired new skills, enhanced my skill set, and had the opportunity to review things I learned in undergrad.
What I choose to learn is always aligned with my personal goals. As a graphic designer, with an interest in printed publications, I took a course on print production. Print production had been covered in my undergrad studies but the majority of my work has always been in digital spaces and I wanted to review it. The opportunity to revisit the subject matter was invaluable and I have a much better grasp on that aspect of my profession.
Likewise, I have used my library's learning resources to study subjects of interest to me. Last year I elected to explore UX/UI design to develop a deeper understanding about this adjacent path I could take in my career.
Video classes have taught me new software tools and techniques. The opportunity to have someone guide me through something new via video classes taught by subject matter experts has helped me improve my digital art skills simply by watching an expert's process and applying those techniques to my work. Not only has this helped me improve my skills it has also built my confidence in my abilities and pushed me forward in the direction I want to go. I am grateful my library offers so many opportunities for professional growth.
I agree with that veteran I met so many years ago. Libraries are one of our nation's greatest treasures and in many ways, the local public library is a community’s hidden university. There is so much knowledge hidden in its walls, scattered among the pages of thousands of books, and even serves as a gateway to even more resources through access to academic journals and even digital classes.
