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Even if ever single last book on the planet were digitized and made available through an online archive accessible to all, that archive would still not be a library.

To say it again: a library is not merely an archive.

Librarians are not simply people who look things up or help people search. Librarians are so much more than that.

To say it again: a librarian is not merely a human search engine.

Libraries have long ago incorporated the Internet into their research capabilities and services, but we in the field and in the know, on daily basis, are sorely reminded how deficient the Internet can often be as a tool for finding even basic information.

We never simply "Google it."

Librarians classify information, identify potential sources and strategies for patrons, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

We are involved with intellectual, creative, and social efforts no search engine, no social networking website, and not even the Web itself can replace or hope to automate.

We must, as never before, as librarians and advocates of access to information in all its forms and for all people, educate the masses so that there will be fewer ill-informed commentaries about the supposed irrelevance or "quaintness" of libraries.

Technology is not knowledge. Technology is not power. Technology is a tool and nothing more.

Google was not nor will it ever be your personal friend and tireless advocate.

Librarians are essential, we are current, we are relevant, we are educators, friends, saviors to many, especially the have-nots and the technologically-challenged, and we are protectors of intellectual freedom and your rights to information.

Diminish or take away our abilities to do these things, and communities will be the lesser for it.

The time has come for librarians to stand up and let the world know what we do.

I do not mean to preach to the choir. I mean for us to be the choir.

Let us be heard loud and clear and never be doubted again. Be persistent and positive.

Let us speak in one voice against ignorance and informational tyranny.

Let us, as we once did, take our communities further than technology can reach.

Let us make them hopeful again and recommit ourselves to all that we do best.

And let no contrary voices distract us from these far more important achievements.

So much depends on our success!

We must succeed!

And we will!