By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Our Public Library represents only 1% of annual city expenses, but it may be the budget’s most cost-effective line item. It stewards a wealth of assets that we all hold in common. And it exists as rare common ground in which the different Somervilles that comprise our city encounter each other.

An abundance of empirical studies from across the U.S. has found that public libraries deliver a return on investment (ROI) of between 4 and 10. That is, the economic value of the services that they provide is between four and ten times the cost of providing them. And the denser the population is that a library serves, the higher the ROI is that it delivers.

The depth and breadth of services the Somerville Library provides is exceptional. Start with what is probably the most obvious, its physical collections of books, digital media, documents, databases, reference materials, and art. Add to that movies, music, and ebooks that you can stream 24/7. Last year, the Library loaned 360,000 items.

If you can’t immediately find what you want in the stacks, your library card provides entrée to the Minuteman Network’s 6 million items. And if that is still insufficient, you can access the Commonwealth Catalog, a statewide network of other library networks and colleges.

If you need help finding something, or deciding what to look for, reference librarians make every possible effort to deliver. They even provide one-to-one technology training – coaching seniors on smart-phones, kids on Microsoft Office, and researchers on digital media. And if you don’t have a computer of your own, you can use one of the 28 in the Central Branch.

Libraries are among our most democratic institutions. Knowledge is power, and our library offers knowledge to the wealthy and the homeless alike. Visit it and you’ll find entrepreneurs researching their businesses, kids who have no other quiet space or computer access to do their homework, job seekers applying online, immigrants learning English, families investigating their genealogy, and homeowners planning renovations and gardens. It is our city’s commitment to the cultural and intellectual wellbeing of all our citizens.

In fulfilling this commitment, library staff do not passively wait for patrons to darken their doors. They offer at least two free and open-to-the public programs every day, across a variety of locations, serving populations from preschool to retirement homes. “Books and Brews,” for example, is a book club for people in their 20s and 30s that meets at the Aeronaut Brewing Company.

“Pop-up libraries” pop up at events like the Fluff Festival, National Night Out, Art Beat, farmer’s markets, the Cambridge Health Alliance, and the Mystic Learning Center. They can issue library cards and request check-out items. They bring along a mini bookcase with popular items, and if kids are present, they can conduct story times.

In an age of disintegrating communities and accelerating economic inequality, the Library has become innovative in its provision of nontraditional services. For some people, it is the only safe location where they can simply exist, without having to buy something. It’s cool in summer, warm in winter, and contains resources to entertain, inform, and educate.

Accordingly, the library has contracted with Cambridge Health Alliance to provide referrals, intervention, and case management for vulnerable patrons who are dealing with homelessness, addiction, abuse, and mental health issues.

Another consequence of economic inequality is the “digital divide.” Preparing, searching, and applying for a job often requires digital technology and internet access. Leading universities like Harvard and MIT, for example, now offer free Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs). And some employers are hiring people based on their performance in such courses. But participation requires a computer, and the library can provide it.

Interestingly, while the internet has doomed many retailers, daily newspapers, magazines, and other enterprises, it has extended libraries’ reach and assets. The Institute of Museum and Library Services finds that Internet users are 50 percent more likely to visit a public library than non-Internet users. And 91 percent of those who use libraries’ online databases also visit in person.

During the global financial meltdown ten years ago, I wrote a column reporting that Somerville was at risk of being decertified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners due to inadequate funding of our library. I am delighted to report that we are now fully compliant with regard to overall funding, hours of operation, and materials budget. Moreover, in 2016 city officials came to agreement with the union to hire some additional five-to-six librarians to get back to pre-recession staffing levels.

Meanwhile, plans are near completion to update, repair, and make fully accessible the West Branch. It will have a dedicated multipurpose room for hosting programs and events, and two conference rooms that can be used for meetings, study, and related uses. Other improvements include a new children’s room, modern equipment and furnishings, a restored skylight, and, potentially, restoration of two fireplaces.

The Central and East Branches will also get new furnishings, including new lounge chairs. And a new service desk in the children’s room will be at a kids-level height.

So we’re moving in the right direction. Our library is a precious gift that we give to ourselves and our neighbors. Let’s be generous.