In 1971 a new library opened in Troy, Michigan. The Children's Librarian, Marguerite Hart, wanted to attract as many children and young people as possible to use the library. So she sent letters to famous individuals asking them to write letters about what libraries meant to them.
Marguerite recieved many replies, including advice from Dr Seuss (Theodore Geisel), E.B White, Isaac Asimov and Neil Armstrong. All of these people cared enough about libraries and children to send their reply.
Even though forty years have passed since these letters were written, libraries are still an important part of many people's lives. Libraries are about more than just books. They teach children about waiting your turn, sharing, having fun and even organisation. Well ordered books and well ordered data have more in common that you'd realise at first glance. Being able to find your way around traditional paper based formats (ie. books) can make it easier to explore the mess of information that is the internet.
No matter what medium you're doing it in (be it paper, computer based, e-book reader or android phone) the simple advice of Dr Seuss still makes a lot of sense. Because in order to make sense of the written world and to navigate your way around the unwritten one it really helps if you can read, and do it well.
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