Why (academic) libraries rock

This post is my contribution to the Louisville Free Public Library Foundation blogathon.

Since the value of libraries — especially academic libraries — is a major theme of this blog, I’m going to cheat a bit and just pull together a Top Ten List of Reasons Libraries Rock from old posts that fit the theme:

1. Libraries are Green — libraries offer major economies of scale and provide a green alternative to everyone owning their own copy of physical books, newspaper subscriptions, etc.
2. Libraries and librarians are keys to good research for students
3. Libraries and librarians are keys to good research for faculty
4. 25 Random Things that rock about my library
5. Why libraries will always rock
6. Academic libraries keep the “awful books” other libraries don’t want
7. Some University Librarians rock
8. Librarians are great recruiters
9. Libraries and librarians make great song lyrics
10. Libraries continue to provide the best answers, and lots of them