The Changing Face of Libraries

4th November, 2009 No Comments

A few Sundays ago, I headed over to the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch to pick up a few books I had on reserve.  Ran over might be a better way of describing it as Sunday hours are weird.  In my head I kept remembering 1 pm and arrived with just enough time to spare so that I could grab the books and check out.

Except it turns out they open at 1 pm.  Not close.

This left me with some time to enjoy what looked to be one of the last beautiful days before a super cold winter finally settled (this thought was wrong too) and after people watching the farmers market across the street, I turned back to a delightful sight.  Loads of people waiting for the doors to open!

I have these grand ideas for what I want my library experience to be–they are something similar to the library of some 17th Century aristocrat that you might see in a movie.  That ideal has never exactly been the case.  For reality I want cozy but with unlimited resources.   

Instead, what I get seems more  akin to a mausoleum–dusty smelly books being ignored by the people who are only there for the free wifi or as a place to hang out.  There are some events although I’ve never noticed them going on but I do occasionally hear the echoing intercom announcements.  When waiting in line to checkout there seem to be mostly families with children’s books and a small handful of adults checking out books or DVDs.  Among the stacks other people are there to answer a cell phone and I feel like the only one browsing for an interesting book to read.  As electronic books grow in popularity, I wonder how much more the library will change. 

Change may be inevitable, it just often seems to be done out of necessity rather than pro-active thinking.  As much as I want my library to be a space where people come for their love of books, it’s just not going to happen.  I’d rather see libraries taking steps to adapt new technology and expand their role in the community beyond book clubs and lectures. 

Rik was recently telling me of the YOUMediaCenter at the Chicago Public Library.  If libraries must veer from the traditional quiet halls, this is the direction I’d like to see it going; encouraging self exploration in  learning, creating, and socializing.

Kids can easily find a place to read, do homework, socialize with friends, play games, or spend time on popular sites such as Facebook and MySpace.  And they can take part in a variety of free digital media workshops where they can explore the creation of digital photography, fan fiction, graphic design, digital video and music production, and game design.  A separate recording studio lets kids express themselves through music and the spoken word. ~ schoollibraryjournal.com

The library is encouraging teens to be active in their community by using the library to be with their peers through the use of natural curiosity for learning.  When well funded, a library can provide opportunities for expanded learning by looking into technology that won’t be found in the home. 

As much as I’d love for libraries to fit perfectly into the dream-image of my own preferences, it’s not practical.  Starting with teens and children, libraries should be working towards interacting with new media to create a new model of operating rather than plodding along as is only to find they are behind the times and with little funding to catch up.  It requires time and innovating thinking, but is the most likely way for them to survive.

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