Thank You for Libraries Day

Carnegie’s Global Library Legacy  

Between 1883 and 1929, industrialist Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of more than 2,500 libraries in over a dozen countries, including about 1,679 public libraries in the United States, on the condition that local authorities provide free service and ongoing support.

These “Carnegie libraries” helped cement the idea that access to books and information should be a tax-supported public good rather than a private luxury.  

Libraries as Economic Powerhouses  

Studies of U.S. public libraries consistently show a strong economic return on investment, with one frequently cited analysis from Florida finding that every $1 of taxpayer money spent on public libraries generated about $6.54 in economic value through services such as job search assistance, small-business support, and free access to technology.

Similar state and city studies around the country have reported positive returns, underscoring libraries’ role as economic infrastructure as well as cultural institutions.  

Beyond Books: Libraries as Digital Lifelines 

Modern public libraries function as critical technology hubs, with the majority in the United States providing free Wi‑Fi, public computers, and technology training; before the COVID‑19 pandemic, Americans logged hundreds of millions of public computer sessions annually, and many relied on libraries as their only source of internet access for tasks like applying for jobs, accessing government benefits, or completing school assignments.  

Libraries and Early Literacy Development 

Public libraries play a documented role in early childhood literacy through storytimes and parent education programs.

Research supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services has found that “Every Child Ready to Read” style initiatives, which coach caregivers in reading, talking, singing, writing, and playing with children, measurably improve adult behaviors that support early literacy, especially in families that may have fewer books at home.  

Protecting Privacy and Intellectual Freedom

In the United States, the library profession has a long tradition of defending users’ privacy and reading choices, reflected in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, first adopted in 1939, which affirms that libraries should provide materials presenting all points of view and should protect each user’s right to “use a library regardless of origin, age, background, or views.”

Many state laws now specifically safeguard the confidentiality of library records, recognizing that people will only seek information freely if they know their choices are not being tracked or exposed.  

Libraries and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals  

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions highlights that libraries worldwide contribute directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, from providing health and agricultural information that supports poverty reduction, to offering digital skills training that advances quality education and decent work.

In many countries, public and community libraries are designated as “public access points” to government information and e‑services, making them key partners in national development strategies.  

Community Resilience and Crisis Response 

Public libraries often become informal resilience centers during crises, offering reliable information, power outlets, internet access, and even temporary gathering spaces.

After events such as hurricanes, wildfires, or public health emergencies, reports from the Institute of Museum and Library Services have documented how libraries helped residents file insurance claims, apply for disaster assistance online, and reconnect with neighbors, underscoring their role as trusted, hyperlocal institutions in times of disruption.