The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report today that found large numbers of public libraries have building systems in poor condition, pose safety concerns, or represent a barrier to access for patrons with disabilities. Following the report’s release, the Urban Libraries Council released the following statement from President & CEO Brooks Rainwater:

“Our nation’s public libraries are essential infrastructure, just like roads or bridges, and this report confirms we need to start treating them that way. The American people rely on their local library for so much. They’re where communities go for books, but also for economic opportunity, to escape the heat, to exercise their right to vote, and so much more. Given public libraries’ outsized impact on the fabric of our communities, it’s unacceptable that, as a nation, we’re allowing them to deteriorate. ULC was proud to offer its insights from our urban library members to inform this report. We applaud the GAO for shedding light on this important issue, and we hope Congress, armed with this data, will act to include libraries in future infrastructure funding.”