Guarding against the tyranny of ignorance During my presidential year, I will use every opportunity to demonstrate just how essential libraries are to our democratic way of life. Since their inception, libraries have served as pivotal community institutions upholding, strengthening, and realizing some of the most fundamental democratic ideals of our society. Libraries are the place where people can find differing opinions on controversial questions and dissent from current orthodoxy. They serve as the source for the pursuit of independent thought, critical attitudes, and in-depth information. And in so doing, our libraries guard against the tyranny of ignorance, the Achilles' heel of every democracy.
Libraries are for everyone, everywhere.
They provide safe spaces for public dialogue. They disseminate information so the public can participate in the processes of governance. They offer access to government information so the public can monitor the work of its elected officials and benefit from the data collected and disseminated by public policymakers. They serve as gathering places for the community to share interests and concerns. Libraries and librarians provide opportunities for citizens to develop the skills needed to gain access to information of all kinds and to put information to effective use.