Editing Public Libraries (section)

== History ==
On 6 Tishrei 5733, in a talk given by [[the Rebbe]] on the eighth anniversary of his mother [[Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson|Rebbetzin Chana]]'s passing, the Rebbe requested to establish public libraries everywhere. This was based on the words of Chazal praising those who write books and lend them to others, as this is an ongoing action that produces fruits and fruits of fruits.

The Rebbe expressed that it is a "mitzvah" that everywhere Jews live there should be a public library with seforim, starting from books appropriate for those at the most basic level in Jewish matters, up to books specifically for those who delve deeply into studying nigleh and [[Toras HaChassidus|Chassidus]].

The Rebbe emphasized that the library's purpose is both as a place for learning and study in the library itself, and to provide the possibility of borrowing books for reading and learning at home.

The Rebbe later emphasized that the inner intention of this takana is that the library should have a beautiful place to sit, with air conditioning and comfort, in order to attract visitors to the library for pleasant conversations about Jewish matters and through discussions around the books, to bring them closer to strengthening their commitment to Torah and mitzvos<ref>Maaná MiYom 7 BeTishrei 5733, Igrot Kodesh Volume 28 Page 8:

The inner intention [should be], that when they come to request a book, you should draw them into a (light) conversation about Yiddishkeit etc. And if it's possible to arrange in the above that there should be a clean and pleasant place also for a pleasant conversation etc. - it's understood that it's good to do so.</ref>.

Following the Rebbe's instructions, any place that reported establishing a public library or expanding an existing library received Chassidic seforim from the secretariat as participation, and primarily, were given a large discount on purchasing [[Kehos]] seforim for the libraries<ref>these Sales continued until the end of the year 5734 (1974).</ref>.

In accordance with the Rebbe's instructions, many public libraries were established over the years by Chabad chassidim.

At a celebration marking the first anniversary after the victory in the seforim trial, the Rebbe again instructed about establishing and expanding public libraries<ref>'Hitvaaduyot' 5748 Volume 2 Page 273:

In every place where they have established or will establish a public house for Torah, prayer and charity, and the like - one should strive that in addition to the necessary books, siddurim, chumashim, books of Tehillim, etc., there should be many more books - "a house full of books" - in all fields of Torah. That means, to establish a Torah library (or to expand the existing library) for the benefit of the entire community, so they can add and increase the study of Torah, both in quantity and quality, through study and learning with many books in all fields of Torah.</ref>.