America's Libraries Change Lives

For the masses of immigrants teeming into Ellis Island at the beginning of the 20th century, the public library represented "the one door that was open to everyone." Learning English opened the key to the library's books, and reading bestowed knowledge and helped secure better jobs. Ultimately, one could argue, libraries were instrumental in changing immigrants into Americans. That's the feel-good message of this heartwarming valentine to America's libraries, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, which features moving interviews with recent émigrés. Buni Cocar, a Rumanian immigrant, whose bookshelves were raided in his native land, says: "For me to compare what kind of libraries we had in Rumania with these things here, it's like going from purgatory to heaven. Once you have access to the things you need, you are a free person." A wonderful pick-me-up to show during staff meetings, as well as a fine circulating advertisement that underscores the importance and necessity of our nation's libraries, this is warmly recommended. (Although I have to say that, given the fact that ALA's Library Champions are supporting the distribution of the video, the $49 price tag seems a bit steep, leading me to wonder what the price on this well-meaning 18 minute PSA would have been with no help at all.) Aud: P. (R. Pitman)