Speak up: What do local libraries mean to the communities they serve in 2023?

Lea Rosell has taken over directorship of the Milford Public Library. The former leader of the Lewes facility, she has a goal of “getting the community to buy in to the library as being this welcoming, fun place to be.” How often do you visit your town’s library? What programs do you participate in? How would you improve the buildings’ resources in the digital age?

• It is challenging for librarians to continuously generate interest in the use of the facilities, but some of the “old school” methods of providing stimulating conversations still work. I recently gave a pitch at the Kent County Public Library on how to discover the history of your property using uslandrecords.com, the Kent County website and a host of other online and local resources. It was well attended. — Gene Thornton
• They level the playing field for obtaining knowledge. All are welcome to study and grow! — Suzanne Jane
• The Milford library and the Harrington library are two places we enjoy quite often. I am a senior in my 70s. And they have fantastic music programs and information programs, like when the Nanticoke Indians came. They are places to enjoy, with great books and computers. And all the workers and volunteers are so kind and intelligent. Both libraries are an asset to my community. — Denise Sloboda Deskiewicz
• I am wondering what a library provides that can’t be found online. — Chris Wolfe
• Many people don’t have home computers, so they rely on the ones in libraries. Also, librarians are indispensable to those who might need assistance with their searches. Also, for people who can’t read books online or afford to buy every book they would like to read, availability at a library is a lifesaver. — Kathy Spring Jordan
• Thanks! Seems like just about everyone has a phone these days and just about anything can be found with a few keywords. — Chris Wolfe
• I think you live in a different world from many other people. And maybe some of us prefer not to use our phones for everything. I, for one, have difficulty using many apps and login requirements, so I need to revert to a computer for such things as reading newspapers, doing in-depth searching for products, ordering items online, paying bills. Just because these things may be easy for you to do on your phone, it doesn’t mean it is the same for everyone else. Perhaps you could benefit from a trip to your local library to see how others live. Libraries are lifelines and social circles for many. — Kathy Spring Jordan
• I suspect that libraries, due to their expense and inconvenience, will go the way of the buggy whip. Enjoy them, if you have one. These phones aren’t going away, especially for these young folks who can’t be found without one. — Chris Wolfe
• Our local library is always full of young people. There must be a reason. — Kathy Spring Jordan
• Maybe there’s hope for the future! — Chris Wolfe
• I have faith. We have a lot of wonderful children here. — Kathy Spring Jordan