The Library is for EVERYONE
When most people think of the library, they picture shelves lined with books or conversations with local authors. And it is true, books are at the heart of what libraries do! But to reduce the library to just books would be missing the bigger picture.
Libraries are social services. They are sanctuaries. They are one of the last truly free public spaces we have left.
Even if you don’t personally check out books or attend events at your local branch, you still benefit from the presence of a library in your community. Because the library doesn’t just serve readers, it serves everyone.
From job seekers using free WiFi to apply for work, to seniors checking in on housing applications or researching healthcare options, to students quietly studying for a degree they hope will change their future. Libraries offer company to people that might otherwise feel lonely and isolated, and a reprieve from stormy or cold weather outside. Libraries are where people come not just to read and learn, but a place to connect and survive.
We at Simply the Basics are proud to partner with public libraries to expand our mission! By offering free hygiene supplies through our receiving sites and public hygiene markets, we are able to help people secure the products they most need regardless of hair type, skin type, or other specificity that isn’t otherwise easily met, right at a place that already offers public bathrooms and a safe, welcoming space. Together with the library, we are making it easier for people to take care of themselves in dignity.
That small act of grabbing deodorant, menstrual pads, or soap at a local library can be the missing link for someone applying for jobs or a student being bullied in class or for someone who’s unhoused to feel human again.
We love books. We encourage them. We especially recommend picking up a story that helps you escape for a bit into a fantasy world of dragons! And we also love the opportunity to help someone meet their most basic needs between the stacks.
This National Library Week, we celebrate our partnerships with libraries across the country. Thank you for being more than a place to read. Thank you for being a beacon of hope, a place of access, and a true equalizer in our communities.
No ID required. No purchase necessary. No barriers. Just visit our table - we’ve got you covered.
Happy National Library Week.
