Rugged individualism, which has long been celebrated in America, is on the upswing. But there are publicly available programs and services in our society that quietly serve the common good which are sometimes taken for granted. From volunteering at food pantries, to public parks, mass transit and libraries, many parts of American society require community: many hands pitching in for the good of everyone.  

In the 1800s, free public libraries were commonplace in America. Over the centuries, they’ve evolved, providing resources for the public well beyond books: internet and business resources, homework help, English language classes, instruments, board games, and more. 

The Brooklyn Public Library drew thousands of new members this fall using an innovative new way to engage its community: by showcasing cultural icon and Brooklyn-born rapper Jay-Z through its in-house exhibit, The Book of Hov. 

It was the first time the library had ever attempted an exhibit of this scale, and it paid off: it drew more than 600,000 visitors over four months. The library saw a 66% increase in accounts system wide, and a more than 300% increase in new card accounts at Central Library.

According to Richard Haass, diplomat and author of the book, “The Bill of Obligations: Ten Habits of Good Citizens,” promoting the common good is essential for a thriving democracy. Only in a society where we look out for our neighbors, for our fellow citizens’ interests, can we build strong communities.

“Fairness is a concept that is central to the smooth and peaceful functioning of a society, and whatever is done to make the American dream a reality and promote the common good must be done with this in mind,” Haass writes.  

This is episode 2 in the 11-part digital series, A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy, a production of The WNET Group’s Preserving Democracy multiplatform initiative. The series is based on the book, “The Bill of Obligations: Ten Habits of Good Citizens,” by author and diplomat Richard Haass.