When the American Library Association (ALA) released its 2025 report ahead of the semiquincentennial of the United States, ALA president Sam Helmick noted that libraries had become sources not only for books, but for everything from telemedicine to workforce development to places of safe harbor. At a time when public libraries are too often under resourced, she urges voters and policymakers to remember the value that these institutions provide:
“As we look toward the next 250 years, the choice is ours. We can let our libraries fade, viewed as charming relics of a bygone era. Or, we can choose to invest in them as the bedrock of our future. Let us decide, right now, that libraries are not optional. They are the very breath of a free society and they are worth fighting for.”
Why are libraries important? Because they fulfil an essential role in society: they ensure everyone has free, equitable access to knowledge, literacy skills, digital tools and lifelong learning opportunities, regardless of where they come from or the resources at their disposal.
Bearing that in mind, here’s a closer look at eight reasons why libraries are more important than ever to the communities they serve.
See also:
- National Library Week highlights the role of libraries in our digital age
- Public libraries are critical social infrastructure
- Unlocking potential: utilizing library space for community engagement and recreation
1. Access to information
One thing that makes libraries essential is that they provide free access to a wide range of information resources, including books, databases and digital platforms such as PressReader, which features thousands of newspapers and magazines from around the world. This is particularly important for community members who may not have internet access or cannot afford to purchase books or other resources.
As the ALA reports, two U.S. lawmakers consider the countless resources offered by school libraries so important that they warrant legal protection. In 2025, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03) reintroduced the Right to Read Act in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively.
If passed into law, this bill would ensure every student has access to an effective school library staffed by a certified school librarian and provide a vital infusion of funding for school libraries.
2. Promotion of literacy
Libraries play a vital role in promoting literacy and a love for reading. They offer programs and resources for children, adults and families to improve literacy skills and encourage lifelong learning.
Literacy is important for anyone interested in getting an education or generally participating in society. Beyond the ability to enjoy a good novel, literacy rates are intrinsically tied to economic development and growth.
When literacy rates are low, individuals and communities struggle. Illiteracy correlates closely with poverty, unemployment, lack of opportunities and gender inequity, but when knowledge and learning are accessible, it can help address these issues. As such, literacy and adult education programs are essential to a thriving society.
3. Community hub
Local libraries serve as community hubs where people can gather, interact and engage in a wide array of activities. They host events, workshops, book clubs, lectures, and other programs that bring people together and foster a sense of belonging and community.
Though this aspect of libraries may sometimes be taken for granted, it has started to garner greater academic attention thanks to works like Palaces for the People, a bestselling 2019 book by Eric Klinenberg.
As the Helen Gould Shepard Professor in the Social Sciences and the director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University, Klinenberg conducted a wide-ranging and far-reaching study on what he calls social infrastructure and its ability to prevent inequality, polarization and the decline of civic life.
Libraries are essential social infrastructure, as are schools, parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, community centres and even places like barbershops. While they all keep citizens engaged, Klinenberg argues it’s the public library that has the greatest potential for connecting people. In fact, he published a companion essay where he noted the following:
“During my research, I learned that libraries are not only important for providing books, films, internet access, and other vital information, but also for ensuring a neighborhood’s vitality and promoting stronger social ties. Palaces for the People — a term I borrow from Andrew Carnegie, the great sponsor and champion of libraries around the world — reports on all kinds of surprising programs one finds in modern libraries: virtual bowling leagues for older people who might otherwise stay home alone; early literacy programs for bilingual children and families that can’t afford books; karaoke sessions where children with disabilities sing along with elders who are looking for meaningful daily activities; morning tea-times for unemployed men who are striving to find dignity and respect.”
4. Digital inclusion
Public libraries play a vital role in bridging the digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who have access to technology (including broadband internet connectivity) and those who do not.
Every year, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) compiles data on global digital trends, and it reports that an estimated 2.2 billion people — a quarter of the world’s population — were still offline in 2025. While this is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, the digital divide affects all countries and communities, driven by differences in urban and rural accessibility as well as socioeconomic security.
Even in developed countries like the U.S. and Canada, the digital divide has a notable impact on low-income individuals and families, senior citizens and residents of remote and rural areas. Without reliable internet, they’re excluded from vital services, information, entertainment, commerce, and public discourse.
Fortunately, by offering a range of digital devices and resources, local libraries can help visitors access tech tools, improve their digital literacy and computer skills, get on the web and learn to navigate the internet safely.
5. Preservation of culture and history
Another way academic and public libraries serve their communities is by preserving cultural heritage and historical materials for future generations. They collect, catalog and maintain rare books, manuscripts, archives and other valuable resources that contribute to our understanding of the past and enrich our cultural heritage.
For libraries in many communities, a commitment to preserving and promoting Indigenous languages is part of an overall mission to reflect and represent the diverse nature of the patrons they serve. The International Association of Library Federations and Institutions (IFLA) often documents and reports on the innovative work being done in this field.
6. Support for education
According to the ALA, “As champions of lifelong learning, libraries are a place to quench curiosity, access technology and explore new ideas, hobbies and careers.”
Libraries support formal education by providing resources, research assistance and study spaces for students of all ages. Some branches may also offer tutoring, homework help and educational programs to supplement classroom learning. And by supplying students with timely, pertinent materials across a variety of perspectives and subject areas, they add tremendous value to academic research as well.
7. Equity and inclusion
Libraries promote equity and inclusivity by offering resources and services that are accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity or ability. They strive to create welcoming and inclusive environments where all members of the community feel valued and respected.
This is especially vital for those with disabilities, who frequently encounter intentional and unintentional discrimination in their daily lives and are often forced to self-advocate for services that others take as a given. For this reason, services to people with disabilities have long been embedded within the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights, and it maintains a database of toolkits and best practices for libraries to implement.
Achieving complete, genuine accessibility remains a work in progress — IFLA reports that less than 10% of the world’s published information is fully accessible to people with print disabilities — but there has been progress nevertheless. After extensive research and consultation, IFLA has published new guidelines for engaging patrons with print disabilities, complete with detailed playbooks for implementation.
8. Information and media literacy
In an age of misinformation, AI-generated content and information overload, libraries help people develop the skills to find, evaluate and use information with confidence. Through digital literacy programs, research support and everyday patron interactions, libraries are helping communities navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.
This role is becoming more important than ever. In a recent survey conducted by PressReader and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), 99% of Australian public library professionals said media literacy is an important library responsibility, while 87% said AI-generated content and social media have significantly increased the need for media literacy education.
Media literacy support often happens in practical, real-world situations: helping someone determine whether a message is a scam, compare how different news sources cover the same story, or evaluate whether information they’ve encountered online is trustworthy. In North America, 63% of library professionals said they provide this support through everyday service desk interactions.
As trusted community institutions, libraries remain one of the best places for people to build media literacy skills and become more informed, confident consumers of information.
FAQs
Libraries are critical community infrastructure. They ensure everyone has access to knowledge, culture, journalism, information, media and entertainment regardless of age, ethnicity, ability, or socioeconomic status. Librarians are also trained professionals who can help patrons conduct research, improve their literacy skills, and find credible sources of information.
Today, digital skills are often necessary in school and in the workforce. So are critical thinking and media literacy skills, to help combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation online. All of these skills can be fostered with the help of resources, programs, and staff members at local libraries, making these institutions highly relevant in the digital age.
Local libraries are a focal point and gathering place for the community. They hold programs such as public lectures, learning sessions, workshops and book clubs, and often host meeting or event spaces that can be reserved at no cost. Libraries also provide technologies to those who may not have access to them at home, helping to bridge the digital divide.
Students rely on libraries for many aspects of their schoolwork. Libraries have large collections of books, journals, newspapers, and magazines available in both print and digital formats. They also provide meeting and study spaces, and may rent out technology and equipment. Tutoring services and literacy programs are also available through many libraries.
Along with books, periodicals, archival materials, and other physical or print-based resources, many libraries grant access to digital publications and subscriptions. They also host events, programs and classes. The role of the library continues to evolve and expand, and they often serve as community gathering spaces where people can access technology, information and entertainment they may not have access to at home.
