The late Frank P. Zeidler often remarked that his local public library was his "university" as he grew up during the Depression. His reading led him to a life of public service focused on human need instead of corporate greed, culminating in 12 years as Milwaukee's third Socialist mayor (1948-1960). Indeed, many of the generation of Americans who came of age in the 1930s used their local public libraries to understand capitalism's collapse, and to search for alternatives.
The current economic crisis could well have a similar impact – if those searching for alternatives are able to find materials in their local public libraries that truly challenge the assumptions of the status quo. Many public libraries, especially in smaller, rural communities, have very few materials (like Howard Zinn's magnificent People's History of the United States) that could really open eyes.
Peace Action - Wisconsin has decided to systematically work to change that. While the decision over what goes on the shelves of public libraries is controlled by librarians, residents of the public library's district have the right to ask their libraries to purchase specific materials. Materials not often found in smaller towns' libraries include Michael Moore's films, books by authors like Amy Goodman, Cornel West, Howard Zinn, Naomi Klein, and Noam Chomsky, yearly compilations like those published by Project Censored, or periodicals like In These Times, Mother Jones, or The Progressive. Image how the life of a high school student researching for a school assignment could be changed by coming across materials that fundamentally challenge the prevailing "wisdom."
Join our efforts to provide progressive materials in public libraries.
- Join a new Peace Action Library Action Committee to plan and implement a strategy. Call us at 414-964-5158
- If you live in a smaller community, contact us for ideas or let us know what actions you are taking. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
- Give your local library a subscription to a magazine such as The Progressive, In These Times, Z Magazine, or Mother Jones. It can be a holiday present to your community.
