Why are you passionate about libraries?

Question

Libraries serve as vital hubs for knowledge, creativity, and community engagement. This article explores the multifaceted roles of libraries, from fostering literacy to preserving cultural heritage. Drawing on insights from experts in the field, we examine how these institutions continue to evolve and impact society in meaningful ways.

Derek Pankaew · Answer

I'm passionate about libraries because they are one of the very few places left in the modern world where you can exist without being expected to spend money.
This might sound simple, but it's actually revolutionary. Walk into a library and nobody asks for your credit card. There's no velvet rope, no subscription model, no upgrade tier. Whether you're a professor, a teenager avoiding the heat, or someone looking for shelter and internet access—you get the same access to information. No algorithm, no paywall, just open shelves and silence.
In a world where nearly every square inch of your digital and physical space is monetized, libraries are one of the last frontiers of intellectual freedom. They don't just protect books—they protect the right to curiosity without commerce.
That's what drew me to launch Listening.com in the first place. I wanted to create something that honored that spirit—making complex, academic content more accessible to everyone, including folks who learn best through audio, or don't have the time or headspace to read dense text after a long shift at work.
Libraries remind us what a truly inclusive knowledge space looks like. I think we need more of that energy, not less.

Johannes Hock · Answer

Seeing a kid walk into a library unsure and leave with a book under his arm like he just found treasure is why I am passionate about libraries and their role in promoting literacy. Libraries house more than shelves and pages. They introduce people to the power of reading in a form that stays with them. For many families, especially those without access to books at home, libraries are the first and sometimes only place where literacy takes root. That quiet support has long-term impact. Confidence grows with each story finished and every word understood, and I've seen that change happen in small, everyday moments.

Odellé Joubert · Answer

Libraries expose you to cultures you'd never come across otherwise, and that is why I appreciate them. Growing up in London, I didn't travel much, but I remember reading about Japanese street food, Ghanaian textiles, and Inuit storytelling all in the same afternoon. No screen or algorithm was guiding me toward what it thought I'd like. I was just following my curiosity down different shelves. That freedom shaped how I think.
As an adult working across international clinics, that early exposure shaped how I move through the world. It taught me to pay attention to detail without needing everything explained. Every city has its own rhythm, its own etiquette, and I've been more attuned to that because I grew up reading about how people live, eat, communicate, and solve problems across different cultures. Libraries gave me that foundation long before I ever had to step on a plane or speak in another language.

Eunice Arauz · Answer

Libraries have always meant a lot to me because they gave me space to think during some of the more intense phases of my career. Back when I was juggling finance roles and long nights with spreadsheets, I'd often duck into a library just to get away from the noise and clear my thoughts. It was never just about the books for me; it was about having a place that didn't demand anything but let me refocus and recharge. That's why Austin Public Library hits home. The downtown branch is a perfect example of what a library can be now, with open spaces, natural light, and spots where I can work or just reset without distractions. It reminds me why I've always valued places like that, especially in the middle of a fast-paced city.

Erwin Gutenkunst · Answer

I am passionate about libraries because I have seen how they serve people who are trying to get back on their feet. Years ago, I was helping a friend who had been laid off and was trying to reenter the workforce after a long gap. He didn't have a home office, and most of his industry contacts had gone quiet. So, we started going to the local library together, and it turned into a hub for everything he needed. There were resume-building workshops, job boards curated by the staff, and access to tools that helped him practice interviews and tighten his applications.

Yaniv Masjedi · Answer

Libraries are incredibly engaging places because they serve as thriving ecosystems for serendipity. Where else can you just wander and find a book, the right workshop, or even a conversation that completely transforms your thinking? Libraries do much more than create knowledge; they serve as discovery portals that inspire creativity in the most unconventional way. 
For example, an entrepreneur could be casually skimming through an old history book and realize it provides an innovative basis for their business. An emerging artist might discover an old photography magazine stuck in a corner of the library. Libraries provide just the right balance between structure and unpredictability, which makes them infinitely better spaces for as-yet-unplanned notions and innovations. That inspiration cannot be found in any other place.

Eric Sornoso · Answer

The sound of silence
I cannot overstate how important libraries are to any given society. Libraries are essentially the one place where every form of literature has a chance to be both preserved and accessed by countless people over multiple generations. Usually, we look at them and think that they're a place for encyclopedias and old dusty books, but they're a lot more than that. Libraries let you borrow books for free usually, and a lot of the passion for reading stems from going to libraries. I know an argument against this would be the internet, but the internet, despite being a domain of research, doesn't always have the necessary material accessible due to blockages in terms of copyrights; libraries are for the public by the public. 
To top it off, they're also a great place to go and decompress. Most people go to the library when they want to study, but in all honesty, there's more to it than that. Because libraries are generally quiet places, they can be a good place to just hunker down and relax. If you follow the proper etiquette of the library, nobody will bother you in your healing process.

Jan Van Zeeland · Answer

Personally, I view libraries as treasure troves of knowledge and culture. They have always been a source of inspiration for me, especially when I was founding Our Culture Mag. I remember how one women's fashion retail client was deeply influenced by a book we found in a library. I believe in the power of libraries to stimulate creativity and broaden our understanding of the world.

Why are you passionate about libraries?