Believe me, this isn’t an aggressive article. Really… trust me. I recently read a children’s book and I’d like to share a bit about it. Up until now, I always believed that “I should only read quality books, and not waste time on mediocre or inferior written ones.” But a dull children’s book I had to read recently gave me a new perspective on something I hadn’t considered before.
The book I read was about books. In it a writer visits the school of a child who isn’t all that excited about reading and gives a talk. This author advises the kids, “Those whose families can’t afford to buy books can always go to the library.” He repeats this idea over and over… At first, it seems like a “well-intentioned” suggestion, right? Families with financial freedom can buy books for their kids, and others children from less fortunate families can go to the library.
But wait… no!
A child reading this book might think, “So only poor people go to the library.” But no little one, come here and let me tell you: libraries are for everyone!
I believe children’s books play a crucial role in shaping how kids view the world, how their mental “background maps” form and especially in building their self confidence. Even the simplest sentences spoken by characters in books can influence how a child sees themselves in society. That’s why authors must be so careful. Being rational all the time isn’t always the best approach, especially in children’s literature.
Speaking of self confidence what are libraries really for? Maybe I’m a very wealthy person and my child wants to go to the library. Should I say “My dear, I can buy you any book you want. Why on earth would you want to go to the library?’
It’s absurd! It sounds like something a Roald Dahl character would say!
(see also: Matilda) <– I can’t stand this book
First off, it’s misleading to view libraries merely as a “source of free books.” They’re so much more they’re part of our culture. And since we’re talking about children let’s keep the focus on them for now (though we could dive into what libraries offer adults some other time 🙂 Libraries are a cultural cornerstone. The moment a child steps into a library, they get a sense of how things work there. They adapt to this new social space, learning rules and norms.
Libraries also host various events and activities from time to time. I wish they were livelier and better promoted!
Freedom of Choice: Even if you aren’t extremely rich, you might still feel the pinch when buying books, especially when your child’s interests change frequently. There’s always a financial risk when choosing books for kids. After a few pages they might lose interest and toss it aside leaving you secretly regretting the money spent. Worse the child might think they just don’t like reading. But in the library among hundreds, if not thousands, of books there’s bound to be something that catches their eye.
Responsibility: I think one of the most valuable things about using the library is the sense of responsibility it teaches. Borrowing a book, taking care of it, and returning it on time is a lesson in respect. It might seem ordinary to an adult we pay bills, we meet deadlines, and dates are important to us but for a child, time is still a new concept. Keeping track of due dates is a great way to reinforce good habits.
I always think of one example that stuck with me: the Arthur I watched as a kid. One of my favorite parts was how the students all had library cards. I thought it was the coolest thing. One day, Arthur borrowed a huge stack of books one of which was a brand-new one! Then he lost one of the books. When he lost it, he dreamed at night that the feds were raiding his house with a helicopter to take the book back from him. I can’t forget Arthur’s cold sweat as a result of this nightmare…
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