One way that the economic crisis is impacting the library and information profession is by making library professionals, the public and politicians question our relevance in an age where municipal and state budgets are shrinking. Most American homes have access to the internet which makes it easy to access information online. Traditional information sources such as encyclopedias, ready reference sources, newspapers, etc. can be accessed online and often for free. Additionally, the ascent of e-books and e-book readers has made a traditionally print based medium easy to access with the click of a mouse. As a result some have wondered if libraries are even necessary anymore. The Chicago based Fox News affiliate asked this question a year ago. In fact, the report begins “They eat up millions of your hard earned tax dollars. It's money that could be used to keep your child's school running. So with the internet and e-books, do we really need millions for libraries?” (emphasis added)
With this concern, libraries are finding ways to rise to the challenge of an internet age and be resourceful to patrons. In fact, libraries are using the internet itself to connect to both old and new patrons. Library websites allow users to access library catalogs, e-books, electronic databases, journal articles and electronic reference sources such as online encyclopedias 24 hours a day. In addition, librarians can connect to patrons who need help by way of e-mail or instant messenger. Although people have access to search engines like Google and Yahoo, patrons often still the need the assistance of a librarian to help sort through abundance of information they give. Users also need a librarian’s help to find other resources such as those mentioned previously in this paragraph.
Thus, the internet is helping to keep our profession relevant and even cost effective in this time of economic crisis. The internet allows us to reach more users in more remote places while also providing traditional services virtually. Anyone who questions the need for libraries should consider the value we still provide to patrons. We have adapted and made our services more available and more convenient despite budget cuts. The economic crisis has made us more innovative and creative in reaching out to library users, even if they never step foot in a physical library.
Bibliography
Davlantes, A. (2010, 07 02). Are Libraries Necessary, or a Waste of Tax Money? Retrieved 10 08, 2011, from myFoxchicago.com: http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/special_report/library-taxes-closed-20100628
Hennen Jr., T. J. (2005). Is There a Library Consolidation in Your Future? American Libraries, Vol. 36, No. 9, 49-51.
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ReplyDeleteHi Faith,
ReplyDeleteI would add that in addition to the libraries using the internet to stay relevant, they are also offering training to people to use the new technology as it comes available. With the constantly changing world of technology, the library will always have the opportunity to offer their services to enable people to stay current. So not only do we need to be tech savvy, but be able to teach others how to be so as well.
Neil Burwick
ReplyDeleteInteresting choice of articles relating to the economic crisis facing our libraries and the profession. The first article mentioned questioning the relevance of libraries in an age where municipal and state budgets are shrinking. The pressure of e- books and the internet make some feel like it is a waste to invest in libraries. The article did bring up some good points regarding ways in which libraries can rise to the challenge. In addition to the blog articles I found the interview with Thomas Frey from the American Libraries magazine enlightening and exciting. Frey‘s opinion is that the majority of people want libraries to remain. He talked about libraries having a survival instinct. Most importantly how libraries know how to adapt to change. The suggestion to install a time capsule room as a way to archive the community is great. Relevant to the blog and to the future is his vision of the library outposts. As book readers become less expensive and digital downloads increase the sale of old fashioned books will decrease. The idea of a cyber café type library in the mall sounds like a wonderful idea. In conclusion Frey feels that the future and success of libraries will be limited only by people’s imaginations because the possibilities are limitless.
There were some very interesting ideas in the video Libraries of the future in Plain English which were also relevant to the blog topic. Changes in organizational culture will help libraries to survive. The movie discussed open collaboration and communication to connect and share ideas and flexible trust instead of the one way communication and hierarchy in many libraries today. Rethinking work conditions for the library of the future is needed. People will be working 24/7 on line and on-line will be just as important as the physical building. One very interesting concept was taking the librarian out from behind the desk where they can be hard to approach to a new service model. Imagine librarians being more creative and part of research teams coaching and offering new services and information and borrowing ideas from places like the apple store and face book. Changing staff to the way of the future would include new types of jobs such as learning and gaming consultant, cataloger, IT technician or a media curator.
In conclusion I would like to point out a few things from Dr Janik’s lecture relating to the blog topic. Some of the reasons for the continuation of libraries despite the many problems facing them include the fact that many people view libraries as being just as important in the community as the police and fire department. In order for Libraries to adapt they need to stay on leading edge of technologies and services. Their major competitors are Google and the internet. public library websites need to be attractive so people will use them at home so she recommends public librarians join organizations like ALA and MLA to learn new technologies.