Recently, President Barack Obama penned an open letter that praises the work of libraries and librarians. In the letter he discussed the difficulties currently being faced by these institutions in regards to book banning. While book banning is not a new idea, it has become a much bigger threat to our democracy in the last few years.
See the full text of President Obama's letter here
“Together, you help people become informed and active citizens, capable of making this country what they want it to be, And you do it all in a harsh political climate where, all too often, you’re attacked by people who either cannot or will not understand the vital — and uniquely American — role you play in the life of our nation.”- Barack Obama
I thought it might be interesting to also take a look at what some of our other U.S. Presidents had to say about the library as a an institutions and the people who work in them.
“The doors of this Library are open now and are all welcome. The judgment of history is left to you, the people. I have no fears of that, for we have done our best. And so I say, come and learn from it.” — Ronald Reagan
"The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens - of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions - must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
"I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a circulating library in every county, to consist of a few well-chosen books, to be lent to the people of the country under regulations as would secure their safe return in due time." - Thomas Jefferson
Libraries promote the sharing of knowledge, connecting people of all ages with valuable information resources. These dynamic and modern institutions, and the librarians who staff them, add immeasurably to our quality of life. - George W. Bush
“If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty. ― John F. Kennedy
The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read. - Abraham Lincoln
Some of the Presidents also have their own libraries - Please follow these links to the following Presidential Libraries.
Barack Obama Presidential Library
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
George W. Bush Presidential Center
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
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