The following piece is an opinion and does not reflect the views of The Eagle and its staff. All opinions are edited for grammar, style and argument structure and fact-checked, but the opinions are the writer’s own.
The D.C. Public Library is my greatest academic resource and best-kept secret. From access to millions of titles in various formats to saving money on required texts for classes and community resources, D.C.’s public library system is a hidden gem. Everyone reading this — especially American University students — should use and support their local library.
As someone who has taken more than a fair share of reading and discussion-based courses, I know how expensive buying required books can be, not to mention the environmental consequences of purchasing a paper copy of a book you are — let’s face it — barely going to read. The public library system is also incredibly accessible to AU students — the Tenley-Friendship branch is just a Wonk Bus ride away. You do not even need to visit an in-person library location; you can register for a card online.
Maybe you’re still thinking, “The public library? That’s old news,” or, “What about the AU Library and Consortium? Why would I need another library?” While the AU Library is an undeniably valuable resource, supplementing it with expanded titles, formats and resources from DCPL is extremely beneficial.
Take a typical AU class of about 20 students. Your professor assigns three or four required books to read over the semester. The AU Library only has three copies of one of the titles, which will fly off the shelves before you have a chance. Or maybe it’s on course reserves, which only grants you access to the book for 24 hours.
All of this mess could be avoided if you checked out the physical book, e-book or audiobook through DCPL — which in 2022 circulated more than 6.3 million items, with nearly a third of these items being digital.
Beyond providing a cost-effective means to do your class readings, when you utilize the library you help support its longevity. Recently, President Donald Trump took action to eliminate the federal library agency, which would result in DCPL facing over $1 million in budget cuts. If we want to protect our libraries and the vital community-building work they do, we must show our support by utilizing the resources they provide.
Checking out books from the library instead of consistently purchasing new titles is a sustainable option. The enormous environmental costs associated with printing and distributing a book are greatly reduced when one book is checked out and read over and over again from a local library. A book, magazine or disc is not a single-use material. Their very design allows such media to be reused by many sustainably and affordably.
Public libraries are champions of so much more than reading. For students, the library is an accessible, multi-format and cost-effective way to complete required readings. For communities, it is an uplifting institution that can bridge knowledge gaps via accessible materials — providing something beneficial to all.
For everyone reading this, I urge you to support your local library. Tackle your overconsumption and check a book out instead of buying one from a large corporation. Explore the additional resources that libraries provide and overall, keep reading, listening and relying on your local library.
Addie DiPaolo is a junior in the School of Public Affairs and a columnist for The Eagle.
This article was edited by Quinn Volpe, Alana Parker and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Ariana Kavoossi and Emma Brown.
