Libraries: Evolving or Extinct?

Over pie at Thanksgiving this year a dinner companion asked me “So you are a librarian, what exactly do you DO?”.  After overcoming my initial urge to throw a pie in his face, I answered him with a long list: reader’s advisory, interlibrary loan, supervise library aides, help students with their research projects, show folks how to download ebooks, help others at the public computers with their job searches, chair OLA’s intellectual freedom committee, etc.  I quickly realized that the gentleman was more interested in lecturing me on the irrelevance of libraries in the 21st century than the rundown of the day in the life of a public librarian. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who question the role of libraries in our current culture, especially as evidenced by this article: http://bit.ly/10aIMBy.  I’d be willing to wager that those who predict the demise of libraries have not stepped into a public library for a long time.  Many of these critics are middle to upper class folks who can afford personal computers, broadband access (and live in a place where broadband is available), eReaders, and all the books they would like read.  This demographic would get by if there was not a library in their community since they do not depend on the services the library provides.  However, we also have many customers who fit into this demographic who would miss the access to recreational reading materials, participating in library programs, and the sense of community they gain by stepping into a library.

Libraries provide a bridge to those on the wrong side of the digital divide (i.e. those who do not have easy access to computers, the Internet, and/or have not developed the skills to use these technologies).  In our community there are quite a few people who fall into this category. They rely on the computers and the Internet service that the library provides to access services, apply for jobs, pay bills and keep in touch with family and friends.  Even recreational use of computers improves users’ skills and familiarity.

While some predict that technology will eliminate the need for libraries, I believe that if libraries are willing to evolve, we can work as a compliment to our increasingly digital culture.  Take a look at this infographic of a recent Pew study: http://mashable.com/2012/12/05/ebooks-print-infographic/.  This study found that readers who read eBooks were people who just read more books than average.  Additionally, these readers read more in both the print and digital formats.  The same study found that 60% of people aged 16 to 29 frequented libraries but only 25% read eBooks.  Our informational culture is changing, but we can hold on to these customers as long as we evolve along with their needs.  While our library customers may no longer need answers to ready reference questions if they have access to Google, they do need assistance with more complex research projects and not all information is freely available through an Internet search.  As librarians we need to look for what is missing in a Google search, what our customers need, where the digital divide lands in our community, and how we can fill that gap.

• How have our customers’ needs changed in the last few years?
• What does our community need from us and are we filling that need?
• How can we improve our image and communicate our importance to those in our community who are not already library customers?
• What role does our library play in our community play besides providing access to information and materials?  How can we and/or should we expand that role?
• What is the best way for us as a library to remain relevant to the next generation of library customers?