I think I freaked him out. The nice guy at the library. He rather apologetically handed me a survey form and asked if I had a couple of minutes...and would I mind...that is...if it wouldn't be too much trouble...answering a few questions...about why the library is important to me. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. His eyes grew wide as I quickly filled the allotted space and spilled out into the margins and onto the back of the sheet. "I feel rather strongly about this subject," I said, as I returned my ink-laden form. "Yes, I gathered that."
With the question of printed books vs e-books roiling through the blogosphere as well as traditional media, I suppose it is inevitable that we must confront the question, "Are libraries still important to our communities?" "Do they merit the funding they require?"
It is impossible for me to address this issue without emotion as I contemplate the many hours of delight my children and I have experienced over the years sailing with Odysseus, the Vikings, and Marco Polo...visiting monasteries, cathedrals, and mosques...creating in our imaginations the magical worlds of Narnia, Hogwarts, and Middle Earth. I recall the difficult questions we have faced, the heroes we have known, and the deep places we have gone...together. Our local library has made that possible.
But is the library becoming obsolete?
Consider the following:
Research: We live in the information age, and the internet is a phenomenal resource. Some would argue that it now precludes the need for libraries as centers of research. Astonishing as it may be to you, there are many families who do not have access to the internet in their homes. The public library is their conduit to this information. I know because I see them sitting in rows at the public computers in my own library. Additionally, though the internet excels in currency of content, it is often lacking in depth. It is a great starting place, but if you wish to encounter the great minds, you are not likely to find them there. Yet.
Accessibility: E-Readers are making books more affordable. Some older content is actually available free. I have certainly availed myself of this resource. But, again, not everyone has access to this. Additionally, only a small percentage of books are currently available in this format. That will change over time, I am sure. But we are not there yet. And even then, if you need to compile twenty sources for a research paper, it will cost you a fortune.
Synergy: Brilliance and creativity multiply exponentially when great minds and resources concentrate and interact. Look at the ancient library at Alexandria, Renaissance Florence, the salons of nineteenth century Paris, Harlem in the 1920s. Libraries offer places of congregation where students can gather...physically...provoking and inspiring...with resources at the ready.
I am watching the library evolve, adopting new technologies and adapting to increase breadth and scope. I can imagine its role continuing to change, but it is difficult to imagine a world where it no longer has a role at all.
I invite your thoughts on this topic. I promise not to pounce on you if you disagree. Probably. :)
Incidentally, Seth Godin provides some arresting insights on a related, though considerably broader, topic in his post Deliberately uninformed, relentlessly so...
Well said! and I'm glad you added Seth's thoughts! As Walt Disney put it "There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." Agreed. Long live the library! :)
Posted by: Julie B | 21 October 2010 at 12:36 PM
I love libraries of all kinds! When they decided to cut funding for libraries in Ohio where I live, I thought that was a terrible, terrible move. Since I graduated from school many years ago, I have become a frequent visitor to the library. I started a new job working at a university three months ago, and the college library is right in front of the building where I work. I love having the library so close, and I have over ten books out right now.
Though I do buy many of my books, my first stop many times is the library to check out the book first to decide if it is one I actually want to own. Many time I decide I want to read a book but don't want to purchase it, and I think the library is such a wonderful resource for this. And I do agree with you that libraries are great places of synergy. I have fond memories of both my college and law school libraries.
And last, I am not a fan at all of e-readers. I do have an iphone, but technology does not come easily to me. I had toyed with the idea of buying an e-reader, but I am going to hold off for a while because while I am passionate about reading, technololy frustrates me--and I would hate to to try reading something only to become completely frustrated by the technology of an e-reader as simple as it may be to use.
Posted by: Ali | 21 October 2010 at 10:06 PM
My 4 children check out a combined total of 22 different books at the library each week (and usually a few dvds)- ALL of which are read. And we homeschool, so as I create our lesson plans, I supplement everything from the library, combing the aisles like a french housewife, picking up whatever looks good that day, and many books that enhance our lessons at school- which adds up to about 75 more books a semester....
And so- I believe our city's libraries are extremely important!
Megan
Posted by: Megan | 25 October 2010 at 05:51 AM