December 5, 2025
Civics
Given libraries’ unique combination of broad accessibility, civic neutrality, and deep public trust, policymakers should embed them intentionally within health and social planning frameworks.
My local library, the Greenfield Public Library, hosts an open, community-centered chess club. Designed to be low-barrier, multigenerational, and friendly to all skill levels, it functions as a recurring drop‑in space where people can both learn the game and find regular opponents in a casual setting. It is just one of dozens of programs sponsored by the library. Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh.
Our city, Greenfield, Massachusetts, is the proud owner of a brand-new library right in the center of town. Since opening in 2023, visits are up more than 200 percent. Program attendance, use of study and meeting rooms, and reference and notary support have all surged. Computer use is up more than 300 percent.
But ten years ago, when residents first floated the idea of building a new library, the proposal met loud and often angry pushback. “Why do we need a new library?” people asked. “We’ve got the internet!”
That reaction made me realize libraries have a branding problem, and I thought I might be able to help. Today I serve on the board of the Greenfield Public Library Foundation. As I’ve studied the most common misconceptions about what libraries actually do, I’ve come to see that the messaging challenges go far beyond convincing people that libraries are “more than books.”
It doesn’t take much analysis to see that the core brand promise of a public library is community. But look a little closer and it becomes clear this isn’t just a nice word for a bumper sticker. Public libraries today are diverse, socially responsive institutions that serve as lifelines for all kinds of people.
Enter Brookings. This respected research organization conducts in-depth, independent work to strengthen policy, governance, and American democracy. In this article, they document how libraries function as trusted “third places” that support health, housing, and social services. They connect everyday library practice to broader goals of health equity, economic opportunity, and community resilience. They also note how librarians are increasingly acting as informal social workers and navigators, helping patrons connect with health care, housing, literacy programs, and social supports.
Brookings argues that because libraries are accessible and deeply trusted, they should be formally recognized and funded as key partners in population health and upward-mobility strategies.
Our library is now working on its next strategic plan. I intend to make sure these insights are shared with the whole community.
ARTICLE: How Public Libraries Help Build Healthy Communities
