The quote, "For me, closing libraries is the equivalent of eating your seed corn to save a little money," uses the metaphor of seed corn to represent the fundamental value of libraries. Seed corn is the portion of the crop that farmers save to plant for the next growing season. If a farmer were to consume their seed corn, they may solve a short-term problem of hunger, but they would be undermining their ability to grow food in the future, causing a much bigger problem in the long run.

In the same way, libraries are seen as seed corn for society. They are a source of knowledge, education, and culture, all of which are necessary for the growth and development of individuals and communities. Closing libraries to save money in the short term could lead to a long-term deficit in these crucial areas, just as eating seed corn would lead to a long-term deficit in food.

This concept can be applied to various aspects of today’s world. In the context of public policy, it suggests the importance of investing in education, culture, and other social services, even in times of financial constraint. In the realm of personal development, it speaks to the value of investing time and resources in learning and growth, even when there may be more immediate demands or desires.

For example, a person might choose to invest in their education by going to college, even if it means taking on debt, because they understand that the long-term benefits of education outweigh the short-term financial cost. Or a community might choose to fund a public library, even in a time of budget cuts, because they understand the long-term value that the library provides in terms of education and cultural enrichment.

In both cases, the principle is the same: sacrificing long-term growth for short-term gain is like eating your seed corn. It might solve a problem in the moment, but it creates a bigger problem for the future.