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Monday, June 18, 2012

Are libraries still relevant?


In talking with a librarian the other day, she asked me a question. Are libraries still relevant today and if so, how do we make people see that? She said when talking to many people they say they have a computer and Internet at home and don’t need to go a library. Not only can they research information from the comfort of their home, they can also download books. This is all true.

But what people don’t realize is that librarians are still the first and best search engines. Sure, you can type in a question on Google or bing, or whatever your favorite search engine is, and you will get hits. Many of them reliable. But will you, or the average person, know it is reliable? Many times it’s difficult to authenticate a site. Librarians will know where to look and are happy to share that information with you. They also know where to look, and have access to, sites you may not be aware of. If you’re looking for historical, genealogical, or medical information, to name a few, you might want to consult with your librarian at some point. He or she can point you in the right direction.

And what about books? Sure, you download a ton of free books, or you can buy them online – no muss, no fuss. This is terribly convenient when the snow is swirling about or it’s a blistering 95+ degrees out, but truthfully, there are some things you may not want to own or pay for. And if you’re not in a tremendous have-to-have-it-in-my-hands-now hurry, you can get it through your public library, even if they don’t have it on their shelves. All public libraries in the U.S. are part of an interlibrary loan system. If one library doesn’t have a book (article / DVD) they will do their best to get it from another library. Some librarians are positively tenacious about tracking these items.

I certainly think libraries have changed over the years. As a kid, I remember visiting the children’s section of the local library and reading my way through the collection. Because of the size, I was forced to read biographies and histories I normally wouldn’t have. I believe they enriched my life tremendously, even though I didn’t know that at the time. But libraries were a place only for the real readers. Now, libraries provide programming and entertainment. The face of the education they provide has changed, but not its mission.

Search engine gurus might be able to make your inquiry pop up quickly, but a librarian can make it relevant to your needs.


Are libraries still relevant? The question floored me. I can’t imagine a world without libraries. How to make people see that they are relevant? I have no idea. Any suggestions welcome. What do you like or dislike about libraries?

~Tara

11 comments:

  1. I have a soft spot for libraries because for one thing they were THE place to go to read free books back in the day. I also worked in one part time in high school and college. So, they'll always be special places to me. But today, I just don't know. I haven't been in one in years except to vote. I'd hate to see them go the way of bookstores like Borders, though.

    And speaking of Borders, every time I pass an empty store with the name still on the outside, it's like a stab in the heart. What the heck did they do to cause a bankruptcy? Libraries gave me such pleasure in my younger days and Borders gave me equal pleasure as an adult.

    Jane

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  2. If you haven't been to your local public library in a while, I urge you do stop by. It's amazing how many of them have picked up some pointers from the bookstores. Some libraries have coffee shops in them so you can have your java and read a paper, or whatever. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what libraries have to offer. Many also offer databases to access from the library, and some from home.
    ~Tara

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  3. Tsrs, thsnk you for highlighting libraries. Members of our family are fast readers, and we read a lot. My eldest daughter has used inter-library loans for years to locate obscure books the small library near her can't house. My youngest daughter is a school librarian. Now she is called a "library media specialist" instead of just librarian, but she still used the word librarian.

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    1. Caroline, I think it must be wonderful to have your own librarian on call! My family reads a lot too. Just thinking of the number of books I used to check out of the children's library to read to my kids is staggering.

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  4. Coincidence? Some psychologists have claimed that many 'coincidences' are in reality a Confluence of earlier events which can only result in one Consequence.
    Today, of all days,I wet off on a rip to a specific library museum in a town I rarely visit, about 30 miles from Liverpool
    I was looking for information about a particular building from Roman times in modern day Chester (Deva Victrix to the Romans).
    This library had a copy of a book of archaeological digs in the town, which £25 (c. $40 US) would have been too busy for me to buy. There was ONE line drawing I found useful,but as I wasn't allowed to photocopy it I had to sit and copy it carefully into my sketchpad!
    But if the library hadn't been there, I wouldn't have had ANYTHING to show for my 60-mile round trip! Long live libraries!!
    PS.The building itself has been completely covered over and sits beneath the Town Hall, built in c.1960

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    1. Paul, so glad you were able to find your information. Indeed, I feel for those who have no understanding of what a treasure libraries are. Even if you are not an avid reader or researcher, there is something for you.
      ~Tara

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  5. Love libraries. My most recent experiences in libraries were when I took my younger granddaughter to explore. She is a voracious reader and I would like to think I had some part in building that. I also used to volunteer to read to kids in the summer reading program. I always took some favorites because I enjoyed reading them.
    *hugs*
    J.D.

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    1. How can you narrow down favorites? LOL For some time I was convinced I was the only one driving up the circulation numbers at our library. One thing leads to another and the next thing you know, I have a HUGE pile of books on the counter. :)

      ~Tara

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  6. I do think libraries are still relevant and they are changing with the times. My library checks out ebooks and will deliver them to your home computer. How's that for convenience?
    When I want to research something, I prefer the public library. I can thumb through the pages I don't need and get to the good stuff at my leisure. Also, when I'm looking for craft projects, decorating ideas or new recipes, the library is where I go to get those books. Occasionally, I've found books so great that I ended up buying my own copy. I also like to check out new-to-me music by checking out CDs at the library because I have saved a fortune by learning what music I liked and those I didn't.
    I also like the atmoshpere of peace and quiet at the library. It's a great place to write when I'm stuck.
    The librarians are so helpful when I'm looking for research material, too.
    So, I have to say that, most definitely, libraries are relevant to our world today.

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  7. Sarah, I so hear that about ending up getting your own copy! It got to be my rule that if I had to check the book out three times it was time to buy my own!

    ~Tara

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  8. What an interesting article. I still adore my local library, and am very passionate about keeping them alive. We recently had the disaster of our UK government closing down many small libraries and even though they were ones I hadn't visited, I still felt extremely upset that they had to go.

    I visit our library at least once a week with my daughter, because they do a regular free session of singing and dancing for the children, and they do activities centred around reading. I think that is wonderful, a great way to socialize and it is educational. We invariably come away with a huge pile of books between us, and the library is always the place where I discover new authors and new subjects of interest.

    In fact, it was my childhood visits to the library with my mum that inspired me to become an author. Back then I adored Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Judy Blume. Then I discovered LJ Smith, Anne Rice and Laurell K Hamilton...

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