The fate of libraries in the ebook revolution

Colin David wrote a post called “Your Library Is Dying” in a web magazine Splice Today.  David reminds us that our libraries are woefully underprepared and or untrained in the latest social media. Librarians aren’t familiar with many of the new information resources like blogs and RSS feeds or how to conduct advanced web searches in order to help patrons. They might not have an inkling on the ebook revolution.

It’s an interesting read, even if it might not match your experience in your library.  I think it’s a really mixed bag across libraries. I’ve been able to visit many libraries in the two cities I’ve recently lived in.  They seemed in some branches to be well equipped. I think libraries try to be very diverse. Is your experience like mine?  My libraries have a decent collection of DVDs, now replacing the many VHS tapes (thankfully), with selections in features, documentary, educational and kids. They have a sizeable number of PCs equipped for Internet access. They have a great deal of books and sections with new releases, both in print and audio.

My libraries also hold events with authors, they mini galleries on display, their meeting rooms can be reserved and often are, they have computer classes on basic subjects. Seasonally they offer tax preparation and have awareness programs e.g. for Black History Month or Asian-Pacific Heritage Month. They show feature films and even film series in whatever branch has the cinema-style venue.

Libraries are designed to be very diverse. They attempt to reflect the culture and community around them and attend to those diverse needs. They also as you might sense, are constantly running activities as a test bed to see what sticks. Like any business, they will play up or downplay them as interest waxes and wanes over time. If nobody attends the Hitchcock film series, then they won’t likely be holding it again next year.

It’s not necessarily the library’s job to teach since they aren’t schools. Nor are they community centers. They also could be forgiven for being behind the times if none of their patrons were requesting the latest and greatest information, programs resources etc.  If they are giving their patrons what they want and satisfying people coming in the door, are they doing a good job while still dying?

Regardless, you can only carry on without evolving  for a few years before you start to lose the older patrons while not gaining younger ones. Younger patrons will want to use it to perform in school and take multiple library resources to synthesize new ideas or output an intelligible paper. Adult patrons will be seeking to research specific subjects, to become someone by supplementing a career path.  Very young and much older patrons might just be looking for entertainment and interesting things, maybe even an escape or a meeting place for discussions with peers.

You might agree that a library needs to change with the times but also believe that young people who only used their web-connected phones will miss out on a lot of the tactile benefits of books and the atmosphere of a library, you are not alone. The library can serve the connected culture while maintaining a non-electronic classic atmosphere.

I think you’ll find that most libraries have been looking at these issues over the past 5 years or so. How they act on them will depend on their funding, their staff’s abilities and from their education and experience from other libraries.  As dull as some libraries can be, they can come from a very creative place. So the problem solving to maintain relevance will occur.  And there are many commercial partners and resources available to bring things like ebook and audio rentals to beef up the library offerings so they don’t have to go it alone.