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The Guardian - AU

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Paul Daley

A 3,200km tour of Australian libraries taught me just how vital they are

Libraries Paul Daley

Man sitting at table in library — Libraries ‘were so clearly vital community hubs, their offerings a strong social glue’, Paul Daley writes. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

That Australians have turned to local libraries in record numbers comes as no surprise. I’ve just returned from a speaking tour of regional and outer suburban libraries which reinforced in me the unquantifiable community value of these institutions.

I’ve rarely felt more connected to readers than during these two weeks. Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise given the remarkable bond between libraries and the readers they serve highlighted in the latest Australian public libraries statistical report.

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