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Why Libraries Matter
Growing up, the Venice Public Library was my special place. It's where I went every day after school, it's where I learned on my own, and it was my jumping-off point for exploring the world. The thing is, libraries are not just about books—they're about communities, and they're about sharing knowledge at that local level. Libraries remain a crucial resource for tons of communities.
Here's a short film showing a day in the life of New York City's public libraries. This is a touching portrait of libraries in the modern era, and I think we can all see ourselves in these stories somewhere. Enjoy:
This film was directed by Julie Dressner and Jesse Hicks. Thanks to The Atlantic Video for featuring it.
See also: Let's Hear It for Libraries; 4 Innovative Libraries Transforming Lives Around the World; These Days, Libraries Are About More Than Just Books; and Why Do We Need Libraries? (just a few of the many library-related articles we've run.)