Public Libraries, Life Without Parole and Other Letters to the Editor Credit...Brooke Barker To the Editor: The blurb for Brooke Barker’s terrific Sketchbook of neighborhood “little free libraries” (Jan. 10) says that “you can still borrow books for free even when public libraries are closed.” While the sketch is a wonderful advertisement for little free libraries — which I, as a librarian, fully support — I do want to correct the statement “when public libraries are closed.” Many public libraries did close. However, it was only the buildings that closed; library staff around the world have worked hard to find new ways to provide library materials for their patrons, schools and communities while implementing new health mandates to keep everyone safe.