In an age in which day-to-day questions and research are just a click away, libraries — once thought to be in danger of being permanently checked out — are more relevant than ever.
“Libraries are being used more now than the pre-Internet days,” Stainbrook said. “Libraries help to conquer the digital divide — between those who have computers and those who don’t. All indications are that libraries are going to thrive in the digital age.”
Other benefits
Aside from being a place of (somewhat) equalized ‘net access for the community, the internet boosts libraries by making their collections available to a wider audience.
This is sometimes done by digitization, like the libraries participating in the Alaska Digital Archive or simply by having their print holdings available through Open WorldCat or through an online catalog. These avenues are getting peoples attention. I know because at my library we’re getting calls from patrons outside our service area for Alaska newspapers and other materials. They found out about our resources through the internet, in most cases. In many cases, this also provides us an opportunity to educate them about the wonders of Interlibrary Loan.
While the internet presents challeges for libraries, it also currently offers them many opportunities that just didn’t exist a few decades ago.
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“No doubt another may also think for me; but it is not therefore desirable that he should do so..” – Thoreau
“Once thought to be in danger of being permanently checked out”
Sigh. Despite usage that continued to increase and generally strong user support, journalists–aided by more than a few doom-crying librarians–continue to lean on this crutch.
Sort of like how Google Book Search has been attacked a lot more for replacing libraries than it’s been credited for driving people to libraries by making in-copyright books discoverable. Bad news is always more fun than good news, I guess.
Other than that stupid phrase, a good story.
re:a few doom-crying librarians
Hey! I resemble that remark!