By Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library reaffirmed its commitment to intellectual freedom and public service earlier this year by launching a new brand and a promise to remain “profoundly public.” This update is more than a new logo or tagline. Profoundly Public is a declaration: libraries are not passive spaces – they are active, essential forces for equity, education and civic life.
As a former educator, I believe in the importance of literacy and education. Books provide insight into our history and help us to understand other cultures. Books are also a way to explore what is possible. At a time when information is increasingly locked behind paywalls, curated by algorithms, or restricted outright, the public library remains one of the few institutions where access to knowledge is truly free and impartial exploration is encouraged.
The BECPL has also committed to investing over $100,000 of donated funds across its 37 branches for public-facing equipment, technology and programming. This investment will give local libraries, especially those with limited resources, an opportunity to improve their spaces in a way that will directly benefit the public need.
While library branches are present in nearly every municipality across Erie County, services like the Bookmobile and Library by Mail provide access to those who may have a transportation or medical barrier. All library card holders also have access to apps like Libby and Hoopla, where patrons are able to download books, audiobooks, magazines, music and more!
The free Library by Mail service brings library materials to the homebound through the mail on a long-term or short-term basis. Anything you can check out from the physical library can be checked out with Library by Mail including books (regular and large print), audiobooks, international language materials, CDs and DVDs. To sign up for Library by Mail, complete the application available at www.buffalolib.org/mobile-services/library-mail, and send to the Central Library (1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo). To view the upcoming Bookmobile event schedule or to request the Bookmobile at your event, visit www.buffalolib.org/mobile-services/bookmobile.
With our students back in school, I encourage families to take advantage of all the unique resources the library has to offer. Select branches offer sports kits for patrons to borrow. Branches can also provide help with homework and access to educator reviewed databases.
These great resources are only available if you have a library card. Library cards are free to residents of New York State. Visit a branch to apply or go to www.buffalolib.org/library-cards to sign up online.
In July we lost a beloved member of our community, BECPL Director John Spears. Our libraries are a point of pride across Erie County and John was a great leader and advocate for much of the funding and resources that make our library system so wonderful. I express my heartfelt condolences to John’s family and his other loved ones. The Freedom to Read campaign was very near to John’s heart and I encourage all who are able to consider donating in John’s memory at https://bl.buffalolib.org/SpearsMemorial.