US public libraries – beautiful icons of a better civic era Moira Donegan |The Guardian | December 2022 If you proposed it now, at any town council or city hall meeting, you would be laughed from the room. The concept is almost unthinkably indulgent, in our austere times: an institution, open for free to anyone, that sells no products, makes no money, is funded from public coffers, and is dedicated solely to the public interest, broadly defined. And it’s for books. If the public library did not already exist as a pillar of local civic engagement in American towns and cities, there’s no way we would be able to create it. It seems like a relic of a bygone era of public optimism, a time when governments worked to value and edify their people, rather than punish and extract from them. In America, a country that can often be cruel to its citizens, the public library is a surprising kindness. It is an institution that offers grace and sanctuary, and a vision of what our country might one day be. To the eyes of a modern American, it can be a strange, even disorienting vision. For one thing, public libraries are unusually beautiful places, the kind of buildings that make you feel underdressed. In many American cities, the public library ranks among the most ornate and stately fixtures of downtown. Over the past year, I began working in the public library for the first time in my freelance career. No matter how often I went, every time I mounted the steps to the entrance, I was always a little nervous. The building felt beyond my station, as if I was about to get caught doing something I shouldn’t. As I settled into my seat at a broad hardwood table and opened my laptop beneath the chandeliers, I always half expected a suited security guard to arrive and ask me politely but firmly to leave. But what is so precious and stupefying about the public library is that no one ever does. I have a right to be there – not because of any institutional affiliation or job or paid subscription, but because I’m a New Yorker, a regular person, in a city that has decided to honor its people with this place. There are a lot of indignities to American city life, and maybe there are especially indignities to life in New York. There is the indignity of the crowded and dysfunctional subway system. There is the indignity of the city’s dirtiness. There is the indignity of the price of rent. But the public library offers an almost otherworldly dignity, a sense of purpose and seriousness that falls over you when you enter. The silence of the reading rooms begins to feel like the reverent hush of a temple. The majesty of library buildings is matched only by the nobility of their purpose. The public library does not make anyone money. It exists to grant access to information, to facilitate curiosity, education, and inquiry for their own sake. And it is available, crucially, to everyone. It costs nothing to enter, nothing to borrow. All the knowledge and artistry of its collection is available to the public at will, and it is a privilege made available, without prejudice, to rich and poor alike. The optimism and respect for the people that is represented in the public library is worth taking into the future with us. The public library makes a proposition that’s still radical: that learning, knowledge and curiosity are for everyone, and that the annals of history, literature, science and art might not be just an indulgence of the privileged, but an entitlement of citizenship. Public libraries in the United States represent exemplary institutions. In a current context that is completely out of step, where austerity dominates and resources are often limited, the idea of creating a place entirely dedicated to the public interest, without profit motives, may seem completely extravagant. If the concept did not already exist, it probably would not have come to fruition in today's world. The public library seems to be a relic of a bygone era. Previously, governments worked more to educate the population, but the trend has changed as people now constantly live under constraint. The public library is therefore a surprising benevolence and sets an example for future generations. Moreover, they are buildings that stand out, with exceptional beauty, and they constitute the wealth of many cities. Their architecture and layout create a unique atmosphere, almost intimidating, which can give the impression of not belonging, yet the fact that everyone owns it is part of its charm. These buildings are in complete contrast to the bustling environment of a city like New York, subject to numerous uncertainties. They are powerful symbols of an era when the common good and the empowerment of individuals prevailed regardless of their social status. Thus, they can contribute to shaping a better and more equitable future for our society. Introduction: Since their foundation, the United States has been considered a nation founded on ideals of equality and opportunity for all. However, despite these laudable principles, the reality demonstrates a deeply unequal society. How can the United States be considered an unequal country and what concrete actions has the government taken to address these inequalities? I) The United States, an unequal country The United States is characterized by manifest economic inequalities, where wealth disparity is particularly concerning. The top 1% richest individuals hold nearly 32% of the country's total wealth, while the bottom 50% possesses only 2% of that wealth. This extreme concentration of wealth accentuates economic disparities and compromises social mobility. Additionally, access to economic opportunities remains limited for many Americans, especially for marginalized communities. For example, racial disparities persist in the labor market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the unemployment rate for African Americans was 9.9%, nearly double that of Whites (5.2%). Disadvantaged communities, often concentrated in urban areas, also face issues such as deindustrialization, lack of investments, and a shortage of decent jobs. II) Government actions to combat inequalities The government has implemented fiscal policies aimed at reducing wealth gaps. For instance, the tax reform passed in 2017 under the Obama administration increased taxes on high incomes, including raising the marginal tax rate for the wealthiest taxpayers. This measure aimed to generate additional revenue to fund social programs and reduce economic inequalities. Furthermore, several U.S. states have taken measures to increase the minimum wage. For example, in 2020, the state of New York adopted a law providing for a gradual increase in the minimum wage for full-time and part-time employees, eventually reaching $15 per hour. The government has implemented policies to combat racial and ethnic discrimination. For instance, the implementation of civil rights laws, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, has helped to fight racial segregation and promote equal opportunities for all citizens. Additionally, government agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ensure the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. The government has undertaken reforms to improve access to education and reduce educational disparities. For example, the "Race to the Top" program launched in 2009 encouraged states to implement educational reforms, such as higher learning standards and teacher training initiatives, to promote equal opportunities in education. The government has adopted measures to improve access to healthcare, including through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. This reform expanded healthcare coverage to a greater number of people. Conclusion: The United States faces deeply rooted inequalities, both economically and socially. However, the U.S. government has implemented several concrete actions to combat these inequalities. Through economic policies aimed at wealth redistribution, fighting discrimination, reforming the education system, and improving access to healthcare. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve a truly egalitarian society.