Without Libraries was created to provide librarians a platform to share stories about education, discuss current programs, and consider life without libraries. Libraries provide access to information and educational resources, promoting literacy, critical thinking skills, and community building by offering a safe space for people to learn, research, and connect with others. Join the conversation at Past Forward.

Guest: Selicia Applegate
Produced by: Past Forward

Past Forward is providing this podcast as a public service. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Please read our Program and Product Disclaimer for more information.

Selicia Applegate: Without libraries, so many people would lose that support system, a place that meets them where they are, offers help without judgment, and reminds them that they matter. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing someone walk out of the library feeling empowered, not just because they found the right resource, but because someone took the time to see them and help them feel supported and capable.

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Hello, my name is Selicia Applegate, and first off, I just want to say thank you. I'm honored you're taking the time to spend a few minutes with me, especially when often our attention is in demand already by so much changing news and responsibilities. Today, I want to talk with you about what we risk losing in a future without libraries and why these spaces matter more than we sometimes realize. When I was a little girl, I would be so excited to walk into my neighborhood library because it was one of the few places where I felt like I truly belonged. Walking through the doors, there was no pressure to buy anything and no need to explain why I was there. Just a welcoming space where I could explore and experience stories from all over the world. That kind of access didn't just entertain me, it expanded me. It changed my outlook and my life many times over. I was able to borrow more than books when I was there. I could fold ideas and experiences into my day-to-day life in a way that helped me develop my dreams until they felt like possibilities.

And now, as someone who works in libraries, I get to help create that experience for others. I manage a library makerspace where people can come and create a variety of items using equipment they might not have access to otherwise, like sewing machines, vinyl printers, laser cutters. It's one of the greatest joys of my life and it has been inspiring to assist them in celebrating some of the most special moments of their lives.

Every day I meet people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. So many families, students, job seekers, artists, immigrants, they come through the door looking for something. Sometimes it's internet access, sometimes it's homework help, sometimes it's a moment of peace, and often it's the belief that they can do something hard or new or exciting.

Without libraries, so many people would lose that support system, a place that meets them where they are, offers help without judgment, and reminds them that they matter. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing someone walk out of the library feeling empowered, not just because they found the right resource, but because someone took the time to see them and help them feel supported and capable.

This is why I fear a future where libraries are overlooked or underfunded, or they aren't recognized as a place where people can go and grow. Libraries are about connection, opportunity, and community. Without them, we lose so much more than stories, and I'm not willing to give up on the idea that everyone deserves a place to belong. Let's protect our libraries, not just for what they hold, but for what they make possible. Thank you.

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