While digital media has not eliminated the printed book entirely, the decreasing demand for books (and old books in particular) is altering the job of the library. Changing public demands are having even more of an impact on the library of the future. What will the Library of the Future look like?
The Expansion of Services
Libraries were founded as a center of learning. Even as libraries shift toward digital content, they remain educational institutions. This is why you continue to see computer literacy courses, English classes and other educational services continue unabated. Computer software classes are offered at many libraries to teach people how to use business software applications, while job search courses are a common offering.
Libraries are expanding their services to include more niched interest areas, with older archives marketed as being of benefit to genealogy groups. A growing number of libraries have affiliated genealogists available for free or payment to help someone fill in their family tree. The location of increasing number of SCORE business consultancies in libraries are another example of this, bringing volunteer or low cost expertise to the general public through the library.
The Addition of Maker Spaces
A new wave hitting libraries has been the placement of “maker spaces” in libraries. Maker spaces are a throwback to the 19th century “mechanic’s library”, teaching skills that cannot be learned from the internet. These maker spaces tend to feature 3D printers open to the public for non-commercial use, but they also have sewing machines and quilting machines. These hands-on activities tend to be integrated into the library’s class schedules and they offer books on how to use these items.
The Rise of the Information Manager
One of the ways the rise of digital texts alters the librarian’s job is by giving them the role of the information manager. Many magazines remain subscription based and accessed through paywalls, but libraries still offer access to these publications to their patrons. Thus the librarian has responsibility for managing the digital subscriptions for the library as a whole.
Digital books are not replacing print books altogether. The ability to switch over to a game or the false urgency of an instant message popup disrupts the process of reading and destroys knowledge retention. Thus it is better to give the young reader print books so that they will focus on reading it and improve their literacy skills. Young adult readers likewise need print books so that they will actually read the work and process it.
One of the end results of this shift in the role of the librarian is the growing importance for librarians to earn an accredited master of information science degree instead of simply a master of library science degree. Note that there are few requirements as to what undergraduate degree you earn to become a librarian.
Depending on the library, the information management role would go first to someone who has earned a degree via an online master of information program instead of a traditional library science degree.
The library remains a meeting place for the public and students in particular. Librarians still manage books, but they increasingly maintain a growing number of information services and devices. What is old is new again as hands-on learning starts to take center stage at the public library.
