Libraries are the hearts of our communities. They are beacons of knowledge in a world of ignorance. They support their neighborhood, offering a rock upon which programs are cultivated to nurture all inquiring minds.

Walk into any library, be it town or country, and you will see a group huddled over the daily newspapers and magazines. You'll probably see some little tikes, struggling with a pile of books as they are walking out, smiling.

The patrons who enter each day are the blood, seeking replenishment and sustenance. These readers leave the library, like freshly oxygenated blood exits the heart, entering the world with a new sense of purpose and direction. Without being aware of their actions, they become active members of our world and carriers of our history.

We must look at our past and be aware of our cultural identity. As David McCullough said in his lecture, what would you have if you took away all of our collective and personal histories? How would you describe yourself and others if you knew nothing about the past, asides from the fact that you exist? What would motivate you?

We must know our past in the hope that we will not repeat the errors of our forefathers. Without that hope, what will become of the future generations of world citizens? Are they doomed to continue the vicious cycle of ignorance and hate? Let's wish for a brighter future where humanity will coexist with better understanding of all creeds and cultures.