September 28, 2007
Is there a future for libraries?
I've been thinking a lot about whether there is a future for libraries. I think it is up in the air at this point. While I am confident there is a future for librarians (who will call themselves something besides Librarians someday), I think the future of the physical library is up for grabs. It depends on what we do to ensure that it endures. I hope we manage to keep them around.
As such, I've been giving a talk that focuses on this issue. This talk picked up steam first in Denver about a year ago at a conference on delivery and at that point I used the title "Delivery 2.0" which seems to have caught on. Since then, I've been asked to do my Delivery 2.0 speech at other ILL meetings. I agree. Then I go there and do my Future of Libraries talk.
So, here's the latest version for your enjoyment. Available as a podcast (90 minutes) with accompanying slides (PDF). Enjoy.
Posted by Lori at 8:35 AM | Permalink
Comments
Lori, I agree that we're "on the cusp" here. On the one hand, virtual users are growing (a couple of weeks ago I heard Anne Marie Gold, Sacramento County's director, note that a month or so ago remote users there overtook physical usage). And as more-and-more material becomes available remotely, there is less need for physically visiting a building.
On the other hand, communities take pride (and are willing to invest in) physical library buildings (and conversely, are often unwilling to increase funding for services that are "only" virtual.) Which puts us in a quandry - we "need" the buildings to help gain community support, while at the same time use of those buildings is decreasing.
[One reason for the growing push for programming is an attempt to address this by growing visitor counts in ways not dependent on circulating physical materials.]
Of course, physical library locations also provide a lot of other services that are valuable to the community - technology centers, for example. The question is, will those services be enough to "tip" buildings to remaining essential....
Posted by: Scott | October 7, 2007 3:30 PM
Hi Scott,
I agree with you regarding the importance of the library building and my worry is we aren't adjusting our services and programs fast enough to account for the new role our facilities play.
It is less and less important that they serve as publicly browsable book storage spaces and more and more important that the programs pull people in and that the spaces are inviting even when no particular program is underway.
It's true that without our buildings, I'm not sure we can maintain the same level of community support. And honestly, that seems reasonable!
Posted by: Lori Ayre | October 8, 2007 3:06 PM
Thank you for your thoughtful and reasoned presentation. I would add that a primary issue is that expectations of library service are so low and satisfaction so high (especially from non-users) that the incentive to change quickly eludes the profession. And (no surprise) there is ample research and evidence supporting these assertions.
Posted by: Ken Haycock | November 6, 2007 11:19 AM