“Just a building with books in it”

The Christchurch City Council is considering options including shutting libraries and cutting swimming pool hours to avoid an 18% rate rise.

These are dark times when we have language like“Just a building with books in it” used to describe and diminish the significance of libraries to our citizens. I am thinking especially of the littlest ones, and those who don't have the means to access all the array of services that the library facilitates. Libraries are a key resource in providing equitable outcomes for our people - the whole world at people's fingertips.

Here is an illustration to help remind us of their value, beyond the cover.

Read Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell on the value of libraries.