Public libraries are a treasure

Go to the library. Read a book.

America's public libraries are a national source of pride.
(Image credit: Garden Photo World / Alamy Stock Photo)

When I moved to New York City two years ago, there were a few things at the top of my to-do list: Find my closest bank branch, master my local laundromat, and sign up for a library card.

I'd only ever signed up for a public library card once, and it was quite literally just to fulfill a middle-school homework assignment. So allow me to share one of the greatest revelations of my adult life, and forgive me if it sounds obvious to you: Public libraries are a treasure.

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Kimberly Alters

Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.