These include author visits, book discussions, exhibits, music and many other programs. Most new libraries have auditoriums or community rooms for meetings, programs and performances. Libraries are for everyone. One of our great democratic institutions, libraries are part of the American dream, providing people of all ages, beliefs, ethnic and financial backgrounds with the resources they need to learn and grow for a lifetime. Even the poorest parents can give their children the key to success - a library card.
Libraries are a shared community resource.
Conceived by Benjamin Franklin as a means of extending books to the working class, today's public libraries offer a vast array of books, magazines and videotapes, CDs, books on tape and other resources. Many libraries have special lending collections of tools, art prints, toys and other items. Many school and academic libraries also make their collections available to the public. Libraries support lifelong learning. Learning never ends at the library.