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Whether it sits in a school, stands on the main street of a town, connects college lecture halls, or perches on the top floor of a hospital, the library – as a guidepost for light and wisdom – issues a call to action. It compels all – young and old – to expand what we know and can do. It persistently beckons us to explore life.

The library brightens the shadows with insight, wisdom, and joy for thinking things through. It embodies the “golden rule” of customer service: to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. The library discovers how to cherish those it serves so that its patrons – its clientele – its students – revere its purpose.

The library is not the possession of any one faction or group. It does not discriminate. It does not disrespect. Instead, the library promotes opportunity for all.

A true test of the library’s commitment to the idea to “welcome all” occurs whenever the community is called to be tolerant and forgiving to those who are hostile and self-centered. At other times the library’s dedication to “welcome all” is tested when we must cope with people from political, economic, and other groups who differ in some way from ourselves. These may be strangers to the library or to each other, but they may need assistance, encouragement, and inspiration. They need to discover that they can respect each other and get along. The library challenges itself and each of us to “welcome all,” embracing the human impulse to grow and celebrating life.

A delight in improving our skills can soften the rough edge of doubt. Many of us discover the right book at the right time to solve a problem. However, the benefits of a library may not impact us overnight, but rather soak in gradually as we broaden our horizons. If we settle for instant gratification, we deprive ourselves of the transformative power of the library to enlighten humanity for the long haul.

A library does not judge. It surveys its community and comprehends the scene of diversity and at the panorama of oneness. It poses opportunities to think, create, and bring out our best talents. Yet, it does not pester; instead, it nudges, nurtures, and nourishes by encouraging us to explore the many resources it offers.  

The people’s university – any library – kindles enthusiasm for learning. Through its informational treasures – classics and modern tomes, journal serials and newspaper archives, high-tech and low-tech resources – a library gives its customers the opportunity to learn and to grow. When correctly used through bibliographic instruction, experiential learning, and other engaging activities, the library expands curiosity, never shrinking it.

A lawyer may not know how to sift through the dross to discover research nuggets, but a librarian can help a law firm find the gold to produce excellent work. Without a library, we reduce a college’s ability to inspire creativity; we sap a city’s vitality; and we impair a school’s capacity to teach children to become independent thinkers.

Humility, optimism, and cooperation are universal ideas to tap and express. Helpfulness, tolerance, and respect are designs of thinking that can generate opportunities for growth. The library is a beacon of light shining forth to make the seemingly impossible possible. Without a library, a town would become a dark place indeed. Folks from all walks of life may overlook whether a website is current, accurate, and authentic. But once they discover the library – and those of us working there – they are bound to notice the goodwill, expertise, and enthusiasm for asking the right questions that produce understanding and know-how.

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, we learners explore, discover, and grow. An iris grows each spring, blossoms, and eventually dies, but the inner essence of the iris continues on. The bulb maintains the nature of an iris and springs back to become a beautiful flower every year. Plato describes how opinions reflect our likes and dislikes but do not capture the inner essence of universal thinking or big ideas such as harmony, truth, and reverence.

A library increases our ability to understand big ideas. It brings forth streams of insight and restores our dreams. When up against opposition for financial support, the library turns inward to assess its service tone, its ability to listen and respond to customers, and its flexibility to collaborate.

The library is not self-absorbed or shortsighted; it works with big ideas, integrating them as much as possible into service to its community. It promotes unity, excellence, and the ability to know. It is greater than its physical facility, personnel, and educational resources. It works hand in hand with Shakespeare, Albert Schweitzer, and the like to clear away confusion and heal the distresses of the mind and heart.

The practice of medicine’s big idea is maintaining health as opposed to focusing on healing sickness. A medical library helps its clientele stay attuned to its big picture. The practice of humility is to accept life, see the goodness in each situation, and use it as a springboard for growth and optimism. The library works with Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, and other practioners of humility to help us increase our understanding and our ability to apply this ideal concept.  

The library is a magnet drawing us into a realm that can elevate our capacity for learning, discovering excellence, and contributing to life. It encourages reflection. Collaborative workspaces and places to ponder can be found in today’s top-notch library. No matter what our background or circumstances are, all of our boats can rise when we ask: What good can I do today? What good have I done this day? Ponder on this: every library, no matter whether it is academic, public, school, or specialty, helps us all to become wiser, more learned, more just, more everything.

The field of dignity is a realm open to all who walk through the library’s doors. Whether a dabchick waddles or an old bird swoops in, the library can help uplift anyone who is willing to take flight anew.(1)

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1. Excerpt adaptation from the Prologue of Inspired Thinking: Big Ideas to Enrich Yourself and Your Community by Dorothy Stoltz with Morgan Miller, Lisa Picker, Joseph Thompson, and Carrie Willson. (Chicago: American Library Association © Copyright 2020 by Dorothy Stoltz, Morgan Miller, Lisa Picker, Joseph Thompson, and Carrie Willson. All Rights Reserved.)

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