Recently, it was announced that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be ending their Global Libraries initiative in the next few years. Global Libraries works to expand access to digital tools around the world. Since 2000, they have reached more than 13,000 public libraries in nearly 20 countries. Janes LaRue, from American Libraries, writes on his blog: “The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation seems to be getting out of the world of libraries, which is a shame.”

One result of their investments has been the research conducted by the Pew Research Center regarding public library engagement in the United States. The slideshow below presents a wonderful argument for libraries, and LaRue even suggests it “would make a terrific presentation to the library board, staff, or community group.”

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/kzjjvhu, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0