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Block I Illinois Library Illinois Open Publishing Network

3 ARE LIBRARIES STILL RELEVANT?

A PROBE INTO THE PAST AND PRESENT TIMES

Ebubechukwu Uba

Introduction

In the modern information society, the relevance of libraries and information centers have been questioned. Libraries play an important role in the wholesome development of our society. For different individuals and to meet the changing society, libraries have been growing. The purpose of this lesson is to establish the relevance of the library even in our technology-driven society.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this educational activity, learners should be able to:

  1. have a proper understanding of the library.
  2. juxtapose between libraries in the past and the present.
  3. affirm the relevance of the library.

Library

Exercise

What comes to mind when you think of libraries?
  • A building or a place?
  • A quiet place for reading and working?
  • A collection of books?

If you thought of either of these answers, you are right. However, as the world is changing, so are libraries.

The easiest way the term “library” has been used is to describe an individual’s collection of books. This same term is used to describe large collection of books held in specific places. A library can be found in various locations, such as, the public spaces, academic institutions, and special facilities. It could belong to individuals, groups of people, a community, academic institutions, the government, or the nation. Therefore, a library can be given a definition in various contexts ranging from building, resources held, patrons served, location, use, and purposes.

The American Library Association[1] defines the library as “a collection of resources in a variety of formats that is organized by information professionals or other experts who provide convenient physical, digital, bibliographic, or intellectual access and offer targeted services and programs with the mission of educating, informing, or entertaining a variety of audiences and the goal of stimulating individual learning and advancing society as a whole.”

A library is also defined as an organized collection of physical, print, non-print, or digital resources made available for use to a set of community it is designed for[2]. Libraries are gateways to knowledge, providing access to information and services to everyone[3].

Types of Libraries

  1. National Libraries
  2. Public Libraries.
  3. Academic Libraries.
  4. School Libraries.
  5. Special Libraries.

From the ongoing discourse, we will establish the different types of libraries, established for different purposes, that exists. The national library serves a nation by acquiring and conserving copies of all relevant resources published in the country. The public library, sometimes referred to as the community library, is established for the general public regardless of individual status and identity. Academic libraries are established to serve the institution’s learning, teaching, and research activities. School libraries are established to serve the pupils and teachers at schools below the tertiary level of education. Special libraries serve institutions or organizations with special practices or research procedures, such as, law libraries, medical libraries, or NASA libraries[2] [4].

It may be your desire to work in any of the libraries mentioned. When we mention the term “library,” we are referring to any of your desired library. The differences between the library types are the patrons served and the collection they possess. The function of the different libraries and their mode of operations overlap and are similar.

Exercises

Discuss the following questions:

  1. Identify the different types of libraries.
  2. What are the differences between an academic library and a school library?
  3. What type of library would you love to work in and why?

Are Libraries Still Relevant?

Due to the shift in today’s digital world, there are concerning questions raised regarding the relevance of the library. Such questions might come in different forms, such as, “Will technology take over libraries? Do we still need libraries? Are librarians still important? Do we need books much longer? Does the library still offer anything? Will they be replaced soon?”

To answer these questions, let us take a brief look at the history of libraries.

The Answer: Evolution of Libraries.

The ancient libraries were no different from archives[5]. Information was stored in clay tablets and cuneiform scripts during the earliest civilization in southern Mesopotamia. Libraries have evolved over time to include print and non-print materials (archival records in papyrus forms, artefacts, books, and representations of cultural heritage) across different countries.

Books have also evolved. Their forms have also changed. Now books are being digitized and information can be accessed digitally through mobile devices, phone tablets, and digital libraries.

Exercises:

  • Why do you think questions about the library’s relevance are becoming rampant?
  • Are libraries the only information institution where people can read?

Across the world, libraries are still existing[6]. Given this large numbers of existing libraries, the relevance of libraries cannot be questioned.

Questions about the relevance of the relevance of the library is usually asked because of the evolutions that have taken place in the library architecture (physical design), resources, and services, due to the impact of technology. People no longer read physical books, and as such, they think this would affect the library’s relevance. The purpose of the library is still applicable today regardless of the changes in the library. Library has evolved to meet the needs of its users and the changing times. Technology is an advantage for libraries, not a disadvantage.

The impact of technology on libraries:

S/N IMPACT AREA(S) BEFORE AFTER
1. Circulation Services
  • Physical checking-in and checking-out of physical resources.
  • Must come in physically to renew or late-fine applies.
  • Patrons have ease of checking-in and checking-out using the online catalogs and self-checkout machine.
  • Renewals can be done online or through mobile apps, saving time and resources.
2. Reference Services
  • Librarians provided assistance to patrons in finding information on specific topics. This might involve helping them to use the library catalog, locate relevant materials, or understand complex concepts.
  • Patrons can use online databases, digital archives, and search engines to conduct independent research regularly. Librarians help patrons navigate the information overload and evaluate sources critically.
  • Synchronous and Asynchronous reference services can now be performed depending on the convenience of both patron and librarian.
3. Programs
  • Library programs were limited by physical space and resources, and they often attracting local audiences.
  • Promotion of the program often relied on word of mouth, posters and flyers.
  • Libraries can host author talks, lectures, and workshops with international guests, attracting a global audience.
  • Libraries can expand reach beyond their geographical limitations through virtual programs, live streams, and online communities.
  • Promotion of the program can be done using social media and online calendars to enable wider promotion and engagement.
4. Resources
  • Collections were mainly physical/ print resources with limited access to materials outside the library walls.
  • Preservation efforts were costly and labor-intensive.
  • Libraries now provide access to e-books, audiobooks, online databases, and other digital resources. This allows patrons to access information from anywhere, at any time.
  • There are advanced preservation techniques to ensure the longevity of digital collections, such as cloud preservation.
5. Space
  • Library spaces were designed for reading and research purposes only and were quiet spaces.
  • Dedicated space for each activity. Limited technology integration – separate computer labs.
  • Collaborative flexible spaces for group work while quiet spaces allow individual reading. The reading space and creative spaces intersect.
  • Library spaces are technology integrated with computers, tablets, and charging stations readily available.
6. Librarians
  • Maintaining library quietness.
  • Physical inventory of print and non-print resources.
  • Made use of the manual cataloging and classification system.
  • Encourage creativity and collaborative efforts among patrons.
  • Technology integration into job allows for effective management of time and effort for productive roles.
  • Digital skill-up to be up to date with technological changes and trends to serve patrons better. Job is enhanced and more productive, not taken away.

There are vast changes going on in the library due to technology. These changes are necessary to be relevant and serve patrons effectively in the 21st century. Technology integration in the library does not make it redundant and ineffective. Its presence makes the services, programs, and librarians’ job more productive.

Librarian

The librarian is the front of all knowledge or the navigator of knowledge. To qualify as a librarian, one must have received education from an Americal Library Association accredited school. To be an academic librarian, one must have obtained a master’s degree in library science (MLS), although some positions may require an advanced degree in a subject specialty[7].

There are shared values anyone interested in being a librarian should have, such as[8]:

  • Enjoy helping and serving people.
  • Interest in developing and providing services, resources and materials that inform and entertain, such as books, movies, music, storytelling, websites, local history, databases, and puppets.
  • Thrive in a technologically changing environment.
  • Interest in information research, preservation and instruction.
  • Willing to connect people with a wide variety of value and belief systems to materials that represent multiple points of view.
  • Believe strongly in First Amendment rights protecting the freedom of speech and of the press.
  • Wish to contribute to the greater good of a literate society.
  • Want to be part of a professional community that encourages sharing information, opinions and expertise.
  • Respect and uphold people’s rights to privacy and the freedom to read what they choose.
  • Believe all information resources provided by libraries should be equitably accessible to all library users.

A librarian is the one who interfaces with patrons and answers all their reference queries. Google can get you an answer, but the librarian can get you the right one. The librarian hosts, organizes, and facilitates library programs.

Libraries as Community Centers

The purpose of establishing a library is to serve the society through the records of human thoughts, ideas and expressions by making them available to all. Libraries evolve to meet the needs of patrons and are more about access, inclusiveness and creating a community.

Libraries provide access by bridging the digital divide, promote inclusiveness by opening their doors to welcome everyone, creating a place of community by offering community resources, and providing social services by working with community institutions. They aid in creating community for everyone by abating loneliness and isolation. They are opportunity and connection centers.

Key Takeaways

Libraries are relevant because:

  • they serve a purpose beyond providing resources for users.
  • they have evolved to meet the needs of patrons.
  • technology integration now makes them more efficient and effective in the delivery of their services.
  • they have trained personnel – librarians, whose relevance cannot be questioned.
  • they are a place for community – access, inclusiveness, and connections.

  1. American Library Association (2022). Definition of a library. Retrieved from https://libguides.ala.org/library-definition ↵
  2. Hussain, A. (2023). What is a Library? Types of Libraries. 10.13140/RG.2.2.17315.32806. ↵
  3. Gibson, A. N. et al. (2017). Libraries on the frontlines: neutrality and social justice. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 36(8), 751-766. Emerald Publishing Limited. DOI: https://10.1108/EDI-11-2016-0100 ↵
  4. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). Library Map of the World. https://librarymap.ifla.org/files/lmw-library-types-definitions-en ↵
  5. Britannica. The histories of libraries. https://www.britannica.com/topic/library/The-effects-of-the-French-Revolution ↵
  6. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). Library Map of the World. https://librarymap.ifla.org/map ↵
  7. American Library Association (2016). Academic Libraries. https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/libcareers/type/academic ↵
  8. American Library Assocaition (2016). Me a Librarian? http://www.ala.org/educationcareers/libcareers/me ↵

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ARE LIBRARIES STILL RELEVANT? Copyright © 2023 by Ebubechukwu Uba is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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