The fate of Libraries and Librarians
As more and more homes and schools become connected, and most information becomes exclusively networked and digital, most libraries report that their use figures are dropping. Should we care?
What role will libraries and librarians play in the future? Are both sentenced to the same fate, or can librarians survive as libraries falter?
posted by Jeff Whipple at 8:57 AM
30 Comments:
From carla Ward
Well of course we should care; I think especially for the people who still care to read and also for the older people who are used to books being available or accessible from libraries. I don't think that libraries will become extinct for a long while, librarians are trained on how to use computers for their changing job role. Most books now at the library are now both computer filed and also filed in the old way; which would be indexed from cards; but because most libraries now have computer files it is much easier to find a book which you may be interesting in taking out for your personal or studying reasons. I think that librarians are here to stay ,but that their job role may change in a very different way, just like how teachers now a days have to learn about all the technology and on how to use it in the classroom.
I would really like libraries to be a part of my children and students' futures. To me a library is an excellent resource for our students and I really hope by the time my children are old enough to enjoy them that they are still around. Could you imagine the University of New Brunswick without a library? I just can't see any university campus without a library because it's such an invaluable resource. I love the way the UNB library is set up with the all the books as well as the computers. I don't think they could ever get rid of all the books.
I hope that libraries will always be here. Books are such useful resources, and I hope they will always be here. I told my kids about the library at UNB. They thought that it was so awesome. I hope that they will be able to use libraries when they grow up. Unfortunately here in Elsipogtog, our library is closed, due to cut backs. Our library is now nothing more than a storage area, which is really sad. Our librarian is now a resource worker, and a darn good one too. I would like to see our library up and running, but it is beyond my control. In my opinion, I think that libraries can survive the technological evolution.
Mary
I think that libraries will still be around only they will be more advanced. I guarantee that I will always prefer a reading a book rather than a computer and I bet that there are alot of people out there who still prefer to read an actual book. That said, the last time I went to the UNB library you could borrow a wireless laptop to use while you were there, and search the library database for books, resources, and archives etc. Eventually, libraries will have book readings featuring famous authors and they will be done by podcast or video conferencing and the librarians job will change along with it all, the will have to become administrators of websites and wikispaces, know how to use and apply the technology as it is developed. The library will eventually become the meeting place for all these technologies, where students can access the technology they need but can't afford. Libraries and librarians will have to evolve and adapt to they changing times ahead.
Gail said: We most certainly should care if libraries falter which will ultimately determine the fate or role of librarians. I hate to say this; but, based on the way that this 'new technological advancements are going, we may come to see a time when libraries are obsolete. The only purpose they will serve is as an museum/archival role. The role of librarians may be redefined to incorporate technological types of duties as opposed to the traditional roles that they now have.
I believe that librarians will be replaced, more and more libraries will not be used enough to fund the salaries of the librarians. Paper books will be more like old-school stuff and libraries will be known as museums, yet it will still be a nice quiet place to go and work. Libraries will have to have more connections where people can take their laptop and plug it in and work right out of the library as a quiet place. Libraries will also have to go all digital where they can find their books on-line or through the use of an on-line dewey decimal system, libraries will need more computers and librarians will have to become more familarized with helping the people access information in the many different ways that are available nowadays.
We haven't had a library in our school for over 5 years now. I went to look for information for my last course but the references were so outdated that I couldn't use it. The teachers have been buying their own books which can be quite expensive. My collection alone (500-600 books), is important to me because I like to keep my collection updated and it would not feel right for me to lend them out. I know which books I have, where they are and when to use them. If a child lost a tooth, iI would just look for that certain kind of story, books are my lesson and discussion starters. It's a shame that the students in our school did not exoerience anyhting with the library. Maybe it's good, maybe it's bad, but I think that books will always be important, no matter what.
Yes, more and more schools are getting wired up and most information will be exclusively networked. Therefore, I am assuming that libraries and librarians will no longer be needed. Unfortunately for them and ourselves as well. We will no longer have access to a nice quite environment to simply go and read a good book. I hope that libraries will always be around for the sake of our elders and for the ones that don't have the luxury of knowing how to get the information they need.(technical evolution.) I'm all for furthering our knowledge in any way but for once, I hope that it won't be all about technology...
I think that we should care if the libraries close, thats where we get our information from, and the kids need to read from books not from the computer it'll only ruin their eye sight. My kids love books, and they like to make up their words as they look through them. It might not completely go but the computers might take over. I want my children to use the library like I did growing up.
I sure hope that libraries will always be here. A library is an excellent resource for the students and teachers to use.It is a quiet place to go and do research or just to go read a good book. I hope that librarians will be around for a long time. Technology is advancing so fast in the world today, that we all have to know how to use it or we will be left behind.
As more information becomes exclusively networked and digital, most libraries report that their use figures are dropping.
I think we should care. Libraries are a great place to do your research and read books.
I think that libraries might take on a more media-like setting that would include tools to use for Web 2.0.
Librarians could also be knowledgeable with Web 2.0 and be instumental when a child is working on his/her project.
Since it is not recommended that children stay on computers that long anyway, I can still see books as being a part of a library.
If the classroom/teachers want to be involved with technology in the 21st century so can libraries/librarians.
Here at our Elementary school the librarian is still the person to go and see when you are doing research, or looking for a great book to read.
I believe that when, if ever, libraries become passe, librairians can become unemployed. It would be a shame if it comes to that, because libraries provide a setting were students can practice their searching skills, read different books in a soothing and calm corner of the library. It is fun to enter a library for just the purpose of searching for books that interest you. It kind of reminds me of going to Chapters, which my 12 year old daughter and i love to do. Also, if books become extinct, we can no longer cuddle up with a good book, but rather, cuddle up with a Acer Laptop! Sound fun? I personally dont think that libraries should be elimenated. Librarians, on the other hand, should consider all possibilities and become prepared for what may happen in the near future.
posting above is from Lisa sock
Hopefully this will work
I do not believe that libraries and librarians are going to be replaced by network and digital but some of the libraries will close.
Libraries will never be closed or replaced because there are people out there that like to read. I cant read off the computer screen it hurts my eyes so i print stuff or look for a book about it. and without Librarians then we wont know what book to look for when we need it. so i think that libraries and librarians will never be replaced.
It is sad and unfortunate, however I do not see a huge future for librarians. Reason, of course is that we will not really require their services. Librarians and libraries may survive somewhat, if they advance their computer skills. I really don't think that people will have a need to go to a library in the future. All the information we need will be available on-line. Even the university libraries are on-line. I can retrieve magazine article, peer reviewed articles, books, etc...It's awesome and I have a feeling we will not require libraries in the future, maybe more computer techs to put the info. on line.
Of course we should care about library figures dropping. The end of libraries is basically the end of books, as I see it. As much as it would be nice to see trees being saved, but it would be history lost. This brings me back to a point I made in another class blog. If something were to happen to technology which is very possible, then that information would be lost. But, like I said before books can't spontaniously combust. The can be preserved and reproduced.
The role that libraries and librarians might play in the future could either be, still with books or maybe there will be so much information on different forms of technology that they are needed. They would be needed to manage the information and help people navigate through vast information. In saying this they may not both be subjected to the same fate.
Personally, I think we should care if libraries are not of use to us in the future. I realize that technology is here to stay but not everyone is that fortunate to have access to the computer. yes I know we are living in a world that will replace books eventually to networking. It's a shame but it is reality. I hope it doesn't replace books for good. I am a strong beleiver in reading a good especially for my children. I'd rather my children read of books than read of the computer.
Nicole S.,
I think that libraries will exist in the future because I find that material on the internet is not as accurate as it is in books, anybody can publish anything on the net. Also I think that librarians will also exist because people still like to recieve the assistance of a librarian rather than have someone assist you over the net.
Will libraries and librarians go the way of the 8 track tape? One part of me thinks that it will, considering all the digitalizing that they are doing with books today. books on tape, books on CD, books turned into movies, books on the internet. IT really has become a mass commmercialized digital world which shows no hope of ever slowing down.
The other part of me says no because then there really is no replacement for human contact and the power of human dedication. Librarians are there for the simple fact of a love for books (it sure as heck can't be because it's a lively party everyday!!) And so it allows the reader to come in, ask for suggestions, help, etc. Even when I read that article for the response paper and that young boy said that he would much rather read and use a textbook than a computer, that was inspiring. It means to me that the written word will never go out of style. Having a book in your hand and be able to cuddle in the corner and do research, read a fiction novel, plot your next dinner or even just study is far more special and preferable to me than carrying around a bulky laptop and having to sit just so in order for a person to use it!
I agree as well with the other ladies where they have said that the older generations are still used to being able to take a book because they are not up to date with the new technology.
I"m not sure what the legalities are around printing information that is not true, nor what can be willingly published that may just be blatant lies or actual fact? WIth so many home publishing equipment out there now, hard copy or soft copy.. what is truth anymore? I can't offer much an opinion here because I do'nt know where the truth lies.
Yes,I think we should care that the usage rates of our libraries are dropping because libraries are an important support spot for our children.We also have to realize that not everyone has a computer therefore still needing a library either to get information, to sign out a book for a project, or just to sit and read.
In the future, I believe we will still have libraries because not all books will be published on-line and not all publishers and authors will allow this.They will still want their work printed.
For the sake of my children I hope that libraries will always exist because there is nothing like curling up on the couch with a good book.
I believe that there will always be libraries and librarins because not everyone is into the whole technological way of reading text from a computer. A lot of people prefer to read and find information from textboooks. Libraries contain valuable documents, books, and information that should always be preserved and never be replaced by digital technology.
I think that libraries and librarians will change with time. They will have computers and books. But the books will be behind glass to preserve them. Like a museum. But I hope they don't change as much, cause I don't think a library would be as quiet with all the keyboarding going on. But I do think there should be a place, an institution where people can go to do some research, a place to just read and think quietly.
So, my point is I hope that librarians, and libraries can survive the 21st century.
Yes we should care about this, there is no way that all the books could be published on-line and even if they were....there will come a time when technology will be lost along with everything that was published. I think we need libraries and librarians because there is alot of texts out there and it helps sometime to have the book in front of you when you are doing research instead of the computer and some people learn better by reading....
Libraries should NEVER EVER cease to exist. The most technological advances should be AVAILABLE as well in the libraries. I grew up with summer reading clubs, and fun stuff at our public library. It was the only FUN place to be in my old hometown other than the beach! lol so I always loved the library. I have passed that love of mine onto my son. It is possible that it may happen. But I wish, and I hope and PRAY it will never happen, that libraries will be around forever! That you will at least still be able to walk into one and smell that good smell of old and new books! Melissa E.
Librarys will probably still be around but probably wont have much text on paper... maybe librarians will be somewhat of a computer geek and know where to find good information online... maybe they'll give out websites of books, and where to find the literature online... Instead of signing out books, they can assign u to websites, or have their own exclusive library online.
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for libraries and librarians. I think that librarians will survive, however, their roles of librarians will change though. They will need to have the 21st century skills if they are to keep up with technology and the growing information age.
Should we care if numbers are dropping? I really think it's a shame! If we are going to instill reading in children they should have access to libraries for books, to be able to go in there and work on their assignments, read, etc.
What role will libraries and librarians play in the future? I believe we definently need libriarians. These are the people we rely on to find information we need, some people still need to in the libraries to find their information or do research. Some people may be more comfortable with the library then the computer.
In the future I think Libarys will no longer be the first resource people go to for information. However I think that libarys and libarians will still be valuable because its the most reliable source of information we have especially if computers were to crash. And not all people want to stare at a computer screen to read chapters apon chapters. I don't think we should give up on our libary systems just yet.
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