英语翻译
OnJune25,hundredsofpeoplecametogetheroutsidetheLibraryofCongressinWashingtonD.C.,andtheywerecelebrating(庆祝)publiclibraries.Formorethan100years,librarieshaveplayedanimportantroleinkeepingAmericanseducated.Buthowarethesebook-filledbuildingschangingwiththetimes?Youmaybesurprisedtofindout.
BenjaminFranklinfoundedAmerica’sfirstlendinglibraryinPhiladelphiain1731.Andthenumberofpubliclibrariesgreatlyincreasedinthelate1800s.AndrewCarnegie,abusinessman,gaveawaymillionsofdollarstohelpbuildfreepubliclibrariesacrossthecountry.Between1886and1919,Carnegiehelpedbuild1,679newlibraries!
CarnegiebelievedthatlibrariescouldofferAmericansmanyopportunities.Heknewthatthemorelibrariestherewere,themorepeoplewouldhaveopportunitiestoreadbooksandnews.TherearemorepubliclibrariesinAmericathanMcDonald’srestaurantsnow.
TheUnitedStatesishometo9,225publiclibraries.Today,thenumberoflibrariescontinuestogrow.SevenoutoftenpubliclibrariesofferfreeInternetuse.Thiscanhelpmanycommunitymemberswhocan’tgoonlineathome.Itcanalsohelpthemtohavetheopportunitytofindjobsonline.
BenjaminFranklinoncesaid,“Thedoorsofwisdom(智慧)arenevershut.”Aslongasthedoorsofpubliclibrariesareopen,hisstatementismostcertainlytrue!