A society that values truth, literacy, and democracy invests in its public libraries. A society that fears an informed population defunds them. Libraries are more than book depositories—they are public institutions that provide free access to knowledge, digital resources, education, and communal space. Yet, in many places, they are treated as expendable. Funding cuts, closures, and privatization efforts have left libraries struggling, their buildings decaying while politicians divert public money into for-profit ventures that benefit the few at the expense of the many.

The attack on libraries is no accident. An informed public is harder to manipulate, harder to control, and more likely to demand justice. Libraries are one of the last truly free spaces in a society increasingly dominated by paywalls, surveillance, and corporate gatekeepers of information. They provide access to books, newspapers, academic journals, internet services, literacy programs, and historical archives—all without requiring a credit card or a social media account. In an era where tech monopolies profit from controlling the flow of information, libraries remain an oasis of free thought.

The United States once understood this. Andrew Carnegie, despite his ruthless capitalism, funded over 1,600 public libraries across the U.S. because he recognized that democracy depends on an educated public. Today, however, many of those same libraries face funding shortages, with entire towns losing access to the resources they provide. According to the American Library Association (ALA), nearly 800 libraries across the U.S. have faced funding threats, closures, or attempts to remove books from circulation since 2020. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) reports that library funding as a percentage of municipal budgets has declined for over a decade, leaving many communities with gutted services and shorter hours.

Meanwhile, the rise of corporate-backed censorship movements threatens the mission of public libraries. The PEN America Index recorded a 400% increase in book bans between 2021 and 2023, with entire subjects—such as racial history, LGBTQ+ rights, and critiques of authoritarianism—being removed from shelves under pressure from political groups.

This is not about protecting children; it is about controlling narratives. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has pushed for laws making it easier to criminally prosecute librarians who provide access to banned books. In Florida, entire library sections have been emptied due to vague laws allowing for broad censorship. These are not isolated incidents—they are part of a larger effort to control what people can read, know, and think.

Public libraries are not just places for books. They provide essential services that the private sector will never replace. A 2019 study by the Pew Research Center found that over 77% of Americans believe libraries provide valuable educational resources for young people, job seekers, and immigrants. Libraries offer free internet access for those who cannot afford it at home, allowing people to apply for jobs, complete schoolwork, and stay connected in a world that increasingly requires digital access for participation. In rural areas, where internet providers refuse to build infrastructure due to low profit margins, libraries often serve as the only reliable access point for digital information.

The psychological and social impact of strong public libraries is immense. Libraries provide a rare space of quiet and refuge, accessible to all, regardless of background or income. They encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning—values that make people harder to exploit. Research from the University of Chicago’s Urban Labs shows that neighborhoods with strong public libraries experience lower crime rates, higher literacy levels, and greater civic engagement. Libraries create spaces where people gather, learn, and organize—something that corporate-controlled media platforms will never replicate.

But libraries are also evolving to meet modern needs. Increasingly, they are becoming hubs for social services, offering everything from free mental health counseling to support for people experiencing homelessness. The San Francisco Public Library, for example, employs social workers who connect vulnerable patrons with housing, healthcare, and job assistance. Libraries in Baltimore and Denver have adopted similar models, recognizing that access to knowledge includes access to stability and well-being. These programs demonstrate that libraries are more than intellectual centers—they are pillars of community resilience.

Libraries help bridge the digital divide. As governments, schools, and employers increasingly require online interaction, digital illiteracy has become a barrier to participation in modern society. Libraries now provide workshops on everything from basic computer skills to coding, ensuring that people are not left behind in the digital age. The Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore offers free tech training courses that have helped thousands of residents secure jobs and navigate an increasingly online world.

The world’s strongest democracies understand the power of libraries. Finland (yes, Finland again) boasts one of the most well-funded public library systems per capita, with nearly every citizen holding a library card. In Norway, public libraries are seen as a civic right, receiving generous funding to ensure that knowledge remains free and accessible.

In countries with authoritarian leanings, public libraries are among the first institutions to be restricted or dismantled—because those in power know that an educated, well-read population is the greatest threat to oppression. If we allow knowledge to become a commodity, controlled by the highest bidder, we are choosing ignorance as a way of life.

Therefore, under Folklaw:

Public libraries must be fully funded, with dedicated annual budgets that cannot be reduced to subsidize private interests. Library staff must be paid as essential public servants, with wages that reflect their role in education and community development.

Public libraries must remain free and accessible to all, with extended hours, digital resources, and internet access available. Digital literacy training shall be a core offering of all public libraries. Book bans and censorship laws targeting libraries shall be prohibited, ensuring that no group can dictate what information the public may access.

Privatization of public libraries shall be outlawed, preventing corporations from monetizing what should be a universal public good. Every region must maintain a network of libraries that serve as educational, technological, and communal hubs, making knowledge freely available.