Obama’s Speech Highlights How Libraries Serve Everyday Americans and Students

The American Library Association (ALA) and the South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) lauds President Barack Obama for noting how libraries assist Americans during the president’s recent address to Congress.

The president shared a story about Ty’Sheoma Bethea, a young student from Dillon, South Carolina, who went to her local public library to write a letter to Congress to tell them how students today are committed to their education and determined to change the world.

“This anecdote not only shows how engaged the young people in our country are, but it also sheds light on how important the library is to these students,” ALA President Jim Rettig said. Yolanda McCormick, director of the Dillon County Library System, said, “I’m excited that she mentioned the library. We’re a poor county and everyone comes here to the library when they need to use a computer and the Internet. It makes me happy that we have these kinds of services available to the public. I’m glad we were here when she needed us!”

According to Jim Rettig, “The public library is the only source of no-fee access to the Internet for 73 percent of communities and a place where individuals like Ty’Sheoma can access computers and technology as well as benefit from the trusted guidance of a librarian. I thank President Obama for sharing Ty’Sheoma’s inspiring story. I hope it encourages our nation’s governors to use stimulus money wisely to ensure that every community has a local library – a library open ample hours with a librarian to help every child like Ty’Sheoma who needs a place to study or aspire. Our libraries are important not only to our youth, but also to adults; libraries are helping to rebuild the economy through assistance with online job searching and resume development, education on personal finances, and other services that respond to today’s pressing needs.”

SCLA president Libby Young said that she was elated that President Obama highlighted libraries in his address. “It’s important that the general public understand what kinds of resources are available at their local libraries. The fact that Ty’Sheoma was able to use her local library speaks a lot to what wonderful resources are available even in an underfunded county such as Dillon."