Among many other outrages including unconstitutional detainment and deportation, Trump has now targeted the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences with a new executive order. Library advocates fear that the administration will try to block funds approved by Congress that keep our state libraries running.
Yes, we should (furiously) call on our reps to protect libraries and museums and spread the word about this latest outrage to education and cultural access. But it's also important to realize that if you want your own library branch to stay open, you can take action in your own community. News of the latest executive order just made me more determined than I already was to attend a meeting of my own library's Friends group, and to volunteer my skills to support my library.
At the meeting, I learned that ESL and computer classes at my library are all filled, with a wait list. Crowds of kids attend a variety of creative and educational programming. My neighbors rely on the library, and not only to check out books. It's a place where we learn, socialize, and access critical resources, including the Internet, free hygiene kits, and warming or cooling centers. There are so few public places left in the world where you can walk in for free and sit safely and quietly without having to buy something.
If you're appalled that the federal government is gearing up to defund state libraries, find out how you can support your own library. Use its services, even if at a distance by using the free Libby app for eBooks and audiobooks. It's great! I read an extra book or two a week this way. Find out if you can volunteer to support library programming. Donate to fundraisers if you can. If everyone who cares about libraries does this block by block in their own communities, Trump will have a hard time shutting them down.
This week at BSR, our writers head to Hedgerow for a new take on A Doll's House, to a world premiere from composer Kile Smith, and to the new show at Inis Nua. They review the latest in dance from Koresh and Rennie Harris Puremovement. I bring you to a Philly panel discussion about the new show Long Bright River, based on local author Liz Moore's bestselling novel. And don't miss a fascinating piece by Constance Garcia-Barrio about historic bodies in Philly and the legacy of body diversity today.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
