The Importance of Librarians
Librarians – Guardians of Free Knowledge
"Without libraries what have we We have no past and no future."
— Ray Bradbury, author
Connection to the Charter
Librarians are not neutral custodians of books; they are frontline defenders of intellectual freedom, digital equity, and community-led learning. In an era of book bans, misinformation, and the digital divide, librarians teach literacy, host community conversations, and provide internet access to the unhoused.
Article XI (Lifelong Learning and Unlearning) makes education a spiritual practice; librarians are among its most faithful practitioners. Article IV (The Paradise Commons) describes public libraries as a core component of our physical commons spaces.
Local congregations should view their neighborhood library as a strategic partner, an early Paradise Commons site where we can host meetings, offer skill-shares, and co-sponsor programs that serve the whole community.