“At My High School, The Library Is For Everything But Books”

“Digital technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to enhance information access and collaborative learning experiences within libraries. However, the integration of digital resources should complement rather than replace traditional print collections. Print books offer unique sensory and cognitive benefits that digital texts may not fully replicate, such as tactile engagement and spatial memory,” said Burlingame Public Library Librarian Alexa Pantazes. “It’s honestly a shame that more and more public libraries are closing.”

Between 2010 and 2020, the US Department of Education found that more than 10 percent of public libraries in the United States closed their doors permanently or reduced their operating hours significantly. Many closures were attributed to budget cuts at the local, state, or federal levels. During the economic downturns in the late 2000s and early 2020s, funding for libraries often faced reductions as municipalities prioritized other essential services.

“The closure of libraries represents not only a loss of physical spaces but also a loss of opportunities for learning, community engagement, and cultural enrichment,” Pantazes said. “We need to reaffirm our commitment to maintaining vibrant, accessible, and inclusive libraries that continue to serve as pillars of knowledge, community, and democracy.”

For Yang, non-English books can also promote reading interest, especially if a student is learning another language. At Burlingame, however, that bookshelf is not very comprehensive.

“In regards to novels and books that kids would check out for their own reading abilities in other languages, it’s just very, very low. It’s not very inclusive,” Velasco said.

An alternative approach can be seen at Palo Alto High School, where officials have created more avenues that promote the use of library resources—including its books. These include tutoring programs or programs to promote reading. Adding resources like student ambassadors and opportunities for librarians to teach students about research methods and credible sources will allow students to learn real-world skills while also helping them reconnect with books.

Introducing a wider variety of literary options—rather than imposing bans and limiting student choice—might also help students feel more motivated to check out books to read. Restocking the few shelves in the library with books students want to read would draw more students to rekindle their love of reading.

In short, doing away with our library would be an injustice to our students. Let’s at least try to give them a space where they feel confident and excited to read and make use of all a library has to offer. Let’s not give up on reading yet.

As a high school journalist, advocating for the importance of reading feels both like a duty and a personal passion. In a world increasingly dominated by digital content, the value of physical books cannot be overstated. For me, books have been more than just sources of information; they have been companions, mentors, and windows into worlds beyond my own. There’s something intimate and immersive about holding a physical book in your hands, turning its pages, and allowing yourself to be transported into its narrative world. It’s an experience that digital content, no matter how convenient, simply cannot replicate.