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October 14, 2005
Vital Link in National Defense
"...a first-class public library is a vital link in national defense.." said Garrison Keillor in his article, "Edith Wharton and the War on Terror." He also promotes public libraries as "a tool in the war against terror." How is this possible? What does he mean?
Librarians, by the nature of their profession, are natural opponents of terrorists. A good library is a harmonious, orderly place where the freedom to read, ponder, and explore are encouraged. It is the closest thing on earth to a utopia where maximum order and maximum freedom go hand-in-hand. Librarianship cannot abide the terrorist mindset of "my way or we'll blow up your highway."
As mentioned in the previous blog entry, library users who enjoy classical literature appreciate the benefits, privileges, and advantages of civilization. The library is one such product of civilization. Since terrorist behavior is most decidedly NOT civilized, it is obvious that this group of library users who read classical literature would be opponents of terrorism, as well.
Some people use libraries as an information source. They go there to learn and to keep themselves informed. People who like to be informed want to know what is happening in the world. Because they are informed, they know that terrorists would seek to curtail their right to be informed. This bloc of library users also, then, would be opponents of terrorism.
Public libraries are family friendly places. Parents take their children to libraries for suitable books, story times, and other programs. Library families are people who embrace life and care about their own children, as well as future generations. Such people are also opponents of terrorism.
Libraries are supported by people who believe in human rights. Believing in freedom of thought, they advocate the right to read and the right to know. They also believe in respecting the rights of others. Such people would also, by their very nature, oppose terrorism.
A deeply rooted part of our country's history, libraries are as American as apple pie: Benjamin Franklin started the first public library in Philadelphia. Such an institution, the very hallmark of democracy, is a slap in the face of terrorism. As long as Americans are free to speak, read, and write, there is no power on earth that can destroy us. Visit your library soon. Remember: libraries are a vital link in national defense!
Posted by RMLibrarians at October 14, 2005 12:15 PM
Comments
While I admire your enthusiasm and dedication to your chosen profession (you ARE a librarian, right?), I believe your assertion that libraries are vital links to national defense is quite a stretch. I agree that libraries are pillars of free and open societies, but I also wonder if the freeness and openness that we embrace may actually PROVIDE opportunities for terrorists. I've heard it said that information is power. If we accept this as truth, we must also understand that this power can be used for good AND evil.
Posted by: Anonymous for now at October 15, 2005 1:13 PM
I am glad that you see libraries as pillars of free and open societies. (God bless you for that!) I think we agree on the basics, Anonymous for now.
To address your other comments: if you think of national defense as strictly soldiers, weapons, and military equipment, then it would be impossible to view libraries as vital links to it. However, I take a much broader view of national defense.
Using a metaphor might be a better way to explain it. Think of the United States as one body of citizens. Just as a human being would fight an outside attacker, our U.S. body fights outside attackers. That is part of national defense. Just as a human body has an immune system that fights invaders inside the body, our U.S. body fights invaders inside the body. That is part of our national defense, too. Now, here is the really important part: if the systems, organs, muscles, tissues, and cells of the body are weak, then a body will be less successful or even unsuccessful at fighting off outside attackers or inside invaders.
This is where libraries fit into the national defense picture. Libraries keep the the corporate body of the United States of America strong. Libraries maintain American culture and tradition. They keep citizens informed and empowered, and they advocate citizens' rights for all and help to maintain those rights. Libraries promote tolerance and mutual respect. They help people to have faith in themselves and their country. To me, all of this is vital to national defense.
As for information being used for good or evil, anything can be used for good or evil. A person could walk in a library, pick up a book and learn something (good) or pick up a book and hit someone with it (evil). The choice belongs to the person who picks up the book.
Posted by: RMLibrarian at October 15, 2005 11:44 PM