The main purpose of public libraries should be to provide books

📌 The main purpose of public libraries should be to provide books. Public libraries should not spend their limited resources on computer software, videos, or DVDs.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The traditional image of a public library is a quiet sanctuary filled with books, and for many, this remains its core identity. Some argue that libraries should strictly adhere to this role, allocating their limited resources solely to books and avoiding modern media like software, videos, and DVDs. However, I strongly disagree with this perspective; I believe that for public libraries to remain relevant and fulfil their educational and social missions in the 21st century, they must evolve and diversify their offerings.

Proponents of a book-centric library contend that the primary function of these institutions is to promote literacy and provide access to literature and academic texts. They argue that finite funding should be prioritised for building and maintaining comprehensive book collections, as this is the unique service libraries provide. Diverting resources to digital or audio-visual materials, they fear, dilutes this core purpose and squanders funds on commodities that are readily available elsewhere, such as online streaming services.

While this viewpoint has its merits, it is fundamentally outdated. Firstly, the very definition of literacy and information access has expanded. In today’s digital world, literacy encompasses the ability to navigate software, evaluate online information, and utilise digital tools. By providing access to computers and software, libraries bridge the digital divide, offering vital resources to those who cannot afford them. Secondly, videos and DVDs are not merely entertainment; they are powerful educational mediums. A documentary film can bring history or science to life in a way a textbook cannot, and language-learning DVDs provide an interactive experience that a book alone may not offer. These resources cater to diverse learning styles and make information accessible to a wider audience, including visual learners and those with reading difficulties.

Furthermore, to insist that libraries should only provide books is to risk rendering them obsolete. If libraries fail to adapt to societal changes, they will become increasingly irrelevant to a population that consumes information and media in dynamic, digital formats. By transforming into community hubs that offer a range of media—from classic novels to e-books, from software workshops to film collections—libraries secure their future as indispensable public spaces for learning, connection, and personal development.

In conclusion, while books should always hold a central place in public libraries, limiting their role to being mere repositories of printed material is a restrictive view. To best serve their communities and uphold their mission of providing equal access to information and education, libraries must wisely allocate their resources to include a variety of media. This evolution is not a betrayal of their purpose but a necessary adaptation for continued relevance and utility.