The role of free public libraries in democracies 19 Articles

by Stephen H

Democracy is often defined as government of the people by the people for the people. In the US and UK democracy is considered the best way to organise political life. In order for democracies to work, the people have to un...read more

by Ginger Kazay

In a democracy, free public libraries permit the citizens to have free access to massive amounts of knowledge without censorship, though some individuals keep trying to introduce censorship for their own purposes. Libra...read more

by Madhusoodanan.K.P.

The word democracy in this topic immediately takes one's attention to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg speech;"Four score and seven years ago,our forefathers..." and in which he included the world's most quoted sent...read more

by G Washington Smikle

Democracy is not an end in itself. In fact it is, if nothing else, the genesis of societal growth and real freedom. A free mind, if is to remain free, must seek to resist the shackles of ignorance and its attendant maligna...read more

by Zog Toorain

The mark of a dictatorship is censorship, epitomised in the burning of books. The corollary is democracy; a free society, in which knowledge spreads without impediment. This cannot take place without a well funded and su...read more

by May Monten

Because public libraries are free, and open to everybody, they help to spread equality of opportunity. Anyone who has the desire to learn has a chance to do so. That's especially important in a democracy. Thomas Jeffe...read more

by Celia Craske

Is it merely coincidence that three of the most important contributions to modern society, education for all, universal franchise and the introduction of free public libraries, came into the public arena at approximately t...read more

by Behemoth

I grew up in an age before the internet and mobile phones. The local library provided me with a love of books and reading, a thirst for knowledge an the foundation of my education. In recent years, the public library ha...read more

by Paul Lines

The role of public libraries in democracies can be defined in a number of ways. Firstly, it is a place of education and knowledge. Everyone has the right to be able to read, write or listen. This is the ability that librar...read more

by Veeryavan Ramkhelawon

Free libraries are like open blessings to the intellect of tomorrow, an oasis of bliss for the parched mind thirsty for some extra awareness, a simple tool for students that makes it to its sanctuary, a laboratory of knowl...read more

by Shockadelica

The role of free public libraries in democracies... the question is obviously a no brainer. Are they important? Irrevocably yes. They are important because they serve as a living testament to history, not only history in...read more

by C. Penlington

Information should be widely available for people to educate themselves on topics of interest to them. I would like to see libraries open 24/7 - with many programs and activities available, along with adequate fund-raisin...read more

by Richard George

The role of free public libraries in democracies are indeed to help in the free expansion of knowledge and to extend and enhance the intellegences that would not necessarily have access to potentially expensive books and o...read more

by Chris Lafayette

it seems to me that librarys have become more obslete in recent years, i visit my local library about twice a year if that. The sad but true fact is that people are much more inclined to visit the internet to find the info...read more

by Krishna Shanmukh

• Democracy is nothing but freedom. The people have right to choose anything ,including their leaders. Since you are citizen of democratic country you are independent and have to use your own brain to take important ...read more

by Erik Van Tongerloo

Probably there is a difference in the kind of libraries dependent of which country and continent you live but in my country most of the libraries are all free. You can find there all kind of information, very useful for...read more

by Joanna Canning

Each citizen living in a democratic society has a right and power to form and improve this democracy. We are equipped with a force to rule it and in fact, the entire authority belongs to us. There is just one but. Do we ...read more

by Melissa Glenn

Knowledge is power, and by having free public libraries in our society, knowledge is available to everyone, regardless of social standing or education. Where I live in Nova Scotia, our network of free libaries are maint...read more

by Coomaresen Naidoo

Knowledge is power or should I rather say that Power is knowledge. If you make reference to the great Bhagavad Gita Epic you would know what I am talking about. Can any of you remember that famous portrait with two birds? ...read more