Students can now browse the library stacks from the comfort of their dorm rooms. Indeed, one can research a topic, narrow a subject, find a book, and download its contents without leaving the couch. But what does this mean for the future of libraries?
Alexandria, Virginia librarian, Diana Reich maintains that libraries and their hard-copy books, will always have advantages that the Internet can't offer.
"Hard-copy books give more depth to information" Reich says. "Plus, publishers give libraries a wealth of information that you would otherwise need to pay for."
As I previously mentioned, the New York City Public Library is working to embrace the 21st century with its "Finding the Future" incentive. While this may increase and encourage the use of electronics within the library, it is not clear that it will increase the use of hard copy book circulation in the building. Other libraries, that don't have the same notoriety and status as the NYC library, face even more threatening circumstances.
The pattern is all too familiar. Take vinyl records for example. Sure, people have tried to maintain allegiance to them in the past, making promises to stay faithful. However, for most, the smaller, shinier and ultimately more convenient CD, proved all too alluring. Now, the CD has since seen its decline as well, as Apple's I-Pod has seduced a large fraction of the world. Have books become the new vinyl records?
A 2011 report from the American Library Association states that e-books "represent the fastest-growing segment" in academic libraries. The same study found that since 1997, the circulation of books has decreased by 5.3%.
Similarly, libraries have been altering the composition of their collections over the years. The number of print materials has declined. Between 1999 and 2008, there was a 2.8% decrease in print materials per 1,000 people.
At least some librarians remain optimistic.
"Sometimes 'old-school' is just better," Reich says.
On CollegeOnline.org Will Sherman makes some other good points in his list, 33 Reasons Why Libraries and Librarians are Still Extremely Important.
A 2011 report from the American Library Association states that e-books "represent the fastest-growing segment" in academic libraries. The same study found that since 1997, the circulation of books has decreased by 5.3%.
Similarly, libraries have been altering the composition of their collections over the years. The number of print materials has declined. Between 1999 and 2008, there was a 2.8% decrease in print materials per 1,000 people.
At least some librarians remain optimistic.
"Sometimes 'old-school' is just better," Reich says.
On CollegeOnline.org Will Sherman makes some other good points in his list, 33 Reasons Why Libraries and Librarians are Still Extremely Important.
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