“Of course, I’m prejudiced, being employed in libraries, but I think I can say objectively that libraries are coming into a whole new phase of relevancy,” said Susan Banks, director of Multnomah County Central Library.
Banks will be speaking at Portland State about the future of libraries in the digital age with a talk titled “Jurassic Library: Public Libraries in the 21st Century—Dinosaur or Dynamo?” to be presented Thursday by the Retired Associates of Portland State University.
With the rise of digital media, that future is now in question. And while some libraries thrive, others are less fortunate.
“Some libraries have blossomed as a result of throwing off the mantle of the past and embracing their community’s needs. Some libraries have been dragged into the future by their citizens who need them,” Banks said. “Some communities just don’t want their libraries anymore, and they’re losing them in alarming numbers.”
Ultimately, that decision rests in the hands of each community, Banks said. But it’s a decision that’s becoming more difficult for communities to make. With dragging economies and lagging unemployment rates, local governments often find themselves forced to cut funding for libraries.
As the American Library Association’s 2011 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study reports, “A majority (59.8 percent) of public libraries reported flat or decreased operating budgets in 2011, up from 56.4 percent in 2010.” And with operating costs rising due to increased demand and inflation, it’s even more difficult for local libraries to keep up.
Still, most Americans seem to support their public libraries. Over 217 million Americans agreed that their public library improved the quality of life in their community, according to a 2009 telephone survey conducted by the ALA.
In addition, the use of public library resources saw sharp improvement from 2006, including personal visits and access from home computers. In fact, computer-based access doubled from 2006 to 2009, suggesting that the future of the public library may be a future of adaptation, rather than decline.
For today’s library, adaptation often means going electronic. Computer labs have become a staple of most libraries, and many libraries are looking into newer technology.
“Libraries are feeling the need to buy more computers, more digital collections and to consider such technologies as e-readers and e-books to keep current,” said Lauren DeVoe, acquisitions coordinator at Tulane University’s Howard Tilton Memorial Library. “While the physical books themselves are still extremely important, the need for digital media is quickly growing.”
The issues don’t end with the acquisition of technology. Even training patrons in the use of these new tools becomes important, and some libraries are taking that responsibility themselves.
“Most librarians teach information fluency classes now to try and address this issue,” DeVoe said. She pointed out that librarians are starting to use social networking tools and smart phone apps to further streamline communication with patrons.
Banks will present her own views on how libraries can adapt to the digital age and answer any questions the listeners may have. She hopes to ask her audience questions as well.
“As retired teachers, the retired associates group has an interesting viewpoint that I find particularly instructive,” she said.
The group, which is hosting the Jurassic Library meeting, is a membership-based organization of retired people sponsored by Portland State’s Senior Adult Learning Center. The program is among RAPSU’s regularly-scheduled meetings, which occur bi-monthly in the Smith Memorial Student Union. The programs range from discussions to recitals, drawn from the local and university communities.
“While there is a small annual fee for membership, anyone is welcome to attend a program of interest, at no cost,” said Naomi Wamacks, coordinator for the RAPSU’s upcoming meeting.
The future of public libraries ultimately rests on whether communities still value them. Asked what individuals could do, Sue Banks said that even talking about the library is significant.
“Bring the library into conversation,” Banks suggested. “Create the fabric that keeps the library relevant, real and responsive to the people who pay for it and the people who use it: you!”