Libraries in the United States have long been regarded as symbols of urban culture. They are not merely repositories for books, but also vessels for regional history and spirit. In this issue of the "Immigrant Life" column, Worldway presents the library culture that immigrants to the U.S. should not miss, for the reference of our immigrant friends:
Humanized Design of the Palace of Knowledge
Every city in the United States has representative public libraries. They are often built with grandeur, resembling palaces, and are equipped with complete facilities, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer. In terms of architectural and interior design, American libraries are often seen as landmarks of a region; in terms of functionality, the information, educational, recreational, and public service functions of American libraries are fully utilized.
True "Universal Reading"
According to statistics from the American Library Association, there is one public library for every 10,000 people in the United States, a figure 46 times higher than the per capita availability in China. Approximately 62% of U.S. citizens hold their own library cards, and the total annual visits to public libraries across the country exceed 1 billion, approaching a state of "universal reading."
A Paradise for Children
For children, libraries are simply their paradise. Every weekend, libraries host regular activities with targeted programs for everyone from infants to teenagers, such as storytelling, reading classes, movie screenings, as well as puppet shows, craft workshops, writing sessions, and more. This not only enriches children's extracurricular lives but also helps them develop cultural awareness. You can check the weekly activity schedule on the library's website or call directly to inquire, which is very convenient.
"Public Wisdom" Open for Free
American libraries have long been known as the "wisdom of the people." All public libraries are open to the public for free, including foreigners. In the library, you can fully enjoy the freedom of accessing knowledge. The reason they can be open for free is that funding mainly comes from government budgets, jointly paid by federal, state, and local governments, accounting for about 80% of the total funding. The remaining funds mainly come from social donations, and a large portion of the books in the libraries are also donated by the public. As for the library staff, apart from a small number of full-time employees, they mainly rely on volunteers.
Inclusive and Equal for All
Another important reason why libraries have become a cultural symbol of the United States is their equal treatment of everyone. Whether you are rich or poor, a commoner or a beggar, an elderly person, a child, or even a blind person, you can find suitable reading materials in the library, giving everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy knowledge. In short, in an American library, you can truly experience the happiness of wandering in an ocean of knowledge, and the library, having become a part of American culture, has also turned into a beautiful landscape.
As a professional institution for U.S. investment immigration, Worldway provides professional and thoughtful services that permeate every small detail of the investor's immigration process to the United States. When clients land in the U.S. for the first time, the Worldway Customer Service Center will provide comprehensive landing and settlement assistance services, including assisting with airport pick-up for the first entry; assisting with bank account opening procedures; assisting with Social Security card applications; assisting with hotel reservations; assisting with booking flights to the U.S.; assisting with contacting driving schools and providing information on driver's license exams; assisting with moving services; assisting with contacting real estate agents and helping with renting or purchasing property; and assisting with contacting school districts and handling children's school enrollment procedures, etc. For inquiries, please call: 400-138-2929.
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