4,000 Words Later

by Elizabeth Crocker

It was toward the end of my junior year when my AP U.S. History teacher reminded my class of the infamous Research Paper assignment—4,000 words on a topic of U.S. History of my choice, I knew about this from the beginning of the course—but sound of her words resonated in my ears like nails on a chalkboard. I was allotted one month’s time to compose a Research Paper worthy of an exceptional grade. Not only did I need the grade for my class, but it is a personal goal of mine that I try to compose my best work in every major school assignment that I do. My topic: women’s suffrage. Sure, I knew the general background information about the subject, but I did not have nearly enough information to write a paper exceeding even 400 words, let alone ten times that amount.  Utilizing outside sources was a requirement, so I was forced to veer away from my comfortable, familiar American History textbook, and venture into other primary and secondary sources.

For my research, I decided to use the facilities at Coronado Public Library in Coronado, California—about ten miles away from the public library of my own town. On one highly motivated Sunday afternoon, I really hit the books. The librarians were highly accommodating in my research, finding approximately twenty books that they felt would help me with my study—a variation of primary and secondary sources that the research paper needed.  In one afternoon, I was able to gather essentially all of the information that my assignment necessitated, writing information on note cards, creating an outline, jotting down important quotes and historical references. I felt very proud of myself.

I ultimately composed a research paper that deemed a grand of an “A minus”, an accomplishment I hold with high regard, as it took a great amount of time and effort to achieve. Without my experience and assistance at the Coronado Public Library, this would not have been achieved.

This illustration—my experience at a public library—is merely one instance in which libraries (and their staff) reach out to people. Libraries—in their most basic purpose—provide endless amounts of books to the masses. Through reading, people are able to further understand history, the sciences, human nature, and inevitably themselves as well; libraries allow the public to have this opportunity. Reading is, in essence, the most important way that people gain knowledge.  Not only do libraries provide the opportunity to read for entertainment and the development of keen insight, but they also allow a quiet place to study or even relax in a niche outside of a busy, bustling environment; it’s almost a tranquil experience. In a large city such as that of San Diego, it’s nice to have a quite place to go to do homework or simply relax, any day of the week.

I hope that libraries continue to thrive in the future—providing entertainment, a study environment and a safe haven for all of the public—because when it comes down to it, we need them.