Since the time of the great Library of Alexandria, which for over three centuries was the central repository for all of the knowledge that had been discovered and collected to date (in a way, it was the internet of the Ancient World), libraries have been places for scholars, students, and anyone curious about anything to find reference materials and the answers they were looking for. Whether written on clay tablets in Assyria, or on scrolls of papyrus in Egypt or silk in China, people recognized the value of keeping permanent records of fact and fiction for future use. Because of the labor involved in creating, cataloging, and storing this information, libraries have performed a vital role in preserving knowledge gained over the years and making it available to a large number of people. Here are four ways that a library can benefit you:

A library has books you’ll enjoy reading. One of the best ways to improve your English vocabulary and have fun at the same time is to read for pleasure. If you’re not sure what type of book you might like, ask the librarian to recommend something, or look at the library catalog (usually on line these days) for a “reader’s forum” where books are grouped by topic. This is a good way to find new books as well.

A library has books containing information you need. One of the best resources that a library provides is the reference section. Not only will you find encyclopedias and dictionaries, you’ll also find instruction manuals, reference books, research studies, and a wide range of technical and topic-specific documents on many subjects. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, ask the librarian for help in requesting information from other libraries – many libraries are connected and share materials, usually for a small fee. If you’re a student working on a research paper or an employee looking to update your skills and resume, the reference section of the library is a valuable resource.

A library has an entire section dedicated to the English language. The Dewey Decimal System is a standard way of classifying materials that is still used by most libraries in their nonfiction/reference sections. Go to any library and look for the shelves of books under the classification “420” and you’ll find information about the history of English and its grammar and spelling, and usually several dictionaries.

A library connects you to the wider world. Not only are there books and magazines written in English on hundreds of different subjects, you can also find materials published in different countries, either in those languages or in translation. Reading what was written by or for other peoples is an excellent way of learning about those lands and cultures. You’ll be presented with new vocabulary and new ways of thinking, and that will help you expand your horizons both in terms of your English skills and your understanding of the global community we all share.