Many libraries, due to funding problems, don't staff youth services areas at the same level they staff adult services. This baffles me - children are often in need of more support, assistance and direction, but aren't apt to receive even the same level of service as adults demand and receive. The public library is a progressive democratic institution. Time for another library land slogan - libraries are the people's universities. Public libraries serve a larger portion of the community than just about any other local government agency.
Public libraries serve the entire population from the cradle to the grave.
Libraries also offer outreach programs that reach special populations - folks in jail, kids in the detention center, homebound, family literacy participants, daycare providers and kids, head start participants, school teachers and students, new immigrants, adult learners, library story time programs and reading programs encourage the development of skills that will help kids succeed in life. Libraries offer meeting room space for all kinds of community organizations. Libraries also provide public bulletin board areas for the distribution of information. Libraries also function as a referral service - providing reference information for users to access other services, agencies and organizations. As access to technology and information becomes even more important libraries can equal the playing field by providing access for those who can't afford the cost personally.