Throughout the history of civilization libraries have been considered the focal point of society. Certainly grand and imposing structures, libraries were traditionally built by nobility, emperors, militray or religious leaders. Libraries were considered the key to power and knowledge, and therefore accessible to only the priveledged.
Today's public libraries serve everyone; the young, the old, students, bilingual and bicultural citizens, professionals and blue collar workers.
Public libraries provide for the mentally and physically handicapped as well.
Today's public library is a place of inner growth, of discovery, of creativity. It is a place to explore the ideas of the past, to freely examine the ideas of the present. A place which nurtures the artist, teacher, scientist, and the philosopher of tomorrow.
One of the roles of today's public library is to organize and make accessible vast amounts of information in a world where information is changing and expanding in a way inconceivable to societies of the past. To keep pace with this information explosion, computers are becoming commonplace in public libraries. You will find information and ideas in whatever form they may take; whether in books, films, microforms, records or even computer printouts.
You'll find it more than just a depository for books; todays public library provides extensive reference services for the small business man and woman, as well as the student. You will find such information on local state and federal legislation, on photo information, health services, automechanics, or community and cultural events, as examples. Todays library also provides a meeting place for various community organizations and groups to discuss community issues or to provide special cultural or entertainment programs. But of course library service will vary from community to community depending on your communities civic needs and resources.
As a citizen you can play an important role in determining the direction of your library service here in San Jose. The library is a department of the City of San Jose. As a City Department it falls under the auspices of the San Jose City Council. It is the Council that decides budget priorities and authorizes budgetary appropriations for all City operations. The City Council appoints citizens to serve on an advisory library commission, which advises the Council on behalf of the Library. The Library Commission serves as a direct liason between the public, the Council and the Library department.
The Friends of the Library and Citizens Advisory Groups are community based organizations that support library services through a variety of means; including fund raising, membership drives, sponsorship of programs for the community and planning of special projects.
You as a private citizen, can elect to join an existing Friends or Advisory group in your own neighborhood, or if one does not exist, create your own.
A quick view of public libraries shows that much has changed from the way ancient societies saw libraries and learning. The library is no longer a place for the priveledged few. Each library user comes and goes as an individual and each is equally entitled to the most effective help the library can give. The library does not enquire the name, status, the politics, the religion or the purpose of anyone who uses its services. Your public library is the unique manifestation of the democratic process; the freedom of each citizen to read and to think as he or she alone may decide.
San Jose Public Library Collection (SJPL California Room)
