My hat is off to Dr. Jackie Ostrowicki for her May 21 Local View column, “Great libraries drive great cities.” She is exactly right. Great cities aren't just about roads, buildings, or skylines. They must also include places for people to learn, gather, read, think, and belong. Libraries do this daily, often with little fanfare. I grew up in Lincoln and have fond memories of visiting the Bennett Martin Public Library downtown as a youth. Even then, it seemed old, which isn’t an insult. Old libraries can have dignity. But public libraries must serve their communities. They aren’t museums. They are vital civic infrastructure. That's why the new Lincoln Central Library project is important. Done well, it can be much more than a book-checkout spot; it can also be a community hub, a meeting place, a refuge, a classroom, a front porch, and a destination for book lovers and architecture fans like me. The new Omaha Central Library serves as a nearby example. I recently visited and waited with a couple of dozen others as the doors opened on a random weekday morning, showing that a good library will bring people in – and bring them together. In the past year, I’ve visited other central libraries in St. Louis, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Boulder, and other major American cities. The best are jewels that foster community and reflect city values. Lincoln deserves such a library. Dr. Ostrowicki made the case beautifully. Brava.
