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Baltimore Libraries Stay Open For Their Communities

In praise of the librarians of Baltimore, and what you can do to show your support.

Rita Meade

Staff Writer

Rita Meade is a public library manager (and children's librarian at heart) who lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Here at Book Riot, she hosts the Dear Book Nerd podcast, a bi-weekly bookish advice show. She reads as much as she possibly can (and it's still never enough), reviews children's books for "School Library Journal," and is the author of a forthcoming picture book called Edward Gets Messy (Simon & Schuster Young Readers, 2016). She also occasionally writes about funny library stuff over on her blog, and even less occasionally sings in a librarian band. Blog: Screwy Decimal Twitter: @screwydecimal

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This is a brief reminder that libraries are there for communities when communities need their libraries.

In the spirit of Ferguson library and public libraries everywhere, all locations of the Enoch Pratt Free Library system, which serves the city of Baltimore, opened their doors to the public yesterday despite being in close proximity to protests stemming from the death of Freddie Gray.

This interview at MTV.com with the Director of Communications at the Pratt library, Roswell Encina, shows the dedication of the library staff to making the library available no matter what the circumstances. If you are at a distance and want to monetarily support the Pratt library, you can do so here.

In addition, the Baltimore County Public Library system (which is separate from the Pratt system), also opened for their patrons.

Many thanks to all the libraries in Baltimore for their hard work and dedication so that people of all ages can use their services and have a safe place to go.

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