Sunday, April 14, 2013

Libraries: A Dying Institution

Remember when once upon a time you had to go to the library to check out a book? You had no option of downloading it. You had to use the card catalog to search for the book, Microfiche to look at old newspapers, and you took pride in checking out library books.

Technology has its downsides. One of them is making physical libraries more irrevelant. Many of the services that a library offers can be found at home or a Google search. This has caused many libraries to reduce hours, close in many cities, and even give away books that no one even checks out or reads.

Believe me,I'm an advocate of the library system. As a writer and lifelong reader, I do not want to see the library go anywhere. I thoroughly enjoy going for many reasons. One is that many services, such as checkout, Wi-Fi and Internet are free. Plus they are good for quiet hangout locations and even study meetings.

Replacing the physical presence of this institution would be a disgrace. It is never creepy or uncool to read and browse in a library. Everyone is welcome. 

I'm also an advocate of progress and technology; therefore, the changing of this modern system is quite the double-edged sword. People want information faster and more convenient. However, the intrapersonal touch is lost.

I would personally give the public library system about 20 years before it becomes a distant memory, or an archives center. Social media may even get involved, as well as bookstores such as Amazon. Change is here, and there's no stopping it. We can only make the best of it.

At least folks haven't stopped reading and getting books and information. That would be the biggest tragedy.

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