Skip to main content

Libraries in a Wake of Technology


Today I am going to discuss an interesting topic related to libraries.

In a wake of various technologies like personal computers, Internet, smart phones and other gadgets there is an argument that traditional libraries are no longer necessary.

Technological advancements have made libraries unnecessary. This is the thesis we hear today.
It may seem the more we use online and electronic devices to get the information instantly or almost straight away the less we need library to go for that.

However I’d argue against this.

I have been an avid library visitor since 7 years old. My grandmother worked in a library and I spent days there being on school holidays. Then at high school and university I still saw a lot of demand for library services.
Today the necessity for libraries doesn't seem to decrease despite of significant rise in technology.

I think it is because of two main reasons:

1. New technologies allow to extend library offerings making them more attractive than before.

Communication technologies make possible for libraries to create online catalogs, Web sites and mobile applications so people can search and reserve the books and magazines they are after

Example, when I travel to work by ferry there is a mobile library truck at the wharf with books anyone can borrow when they commute. New technology allows people to check what books are available and pre-order as they go.

New media types add to paper-based products that libraries offer to share.

Example,  when I visit library I see heaps of multimedia, video, games, movies and other material in addition to traditional publications.

This makes libraries more attractive, because they provide more services to the public.

2. Libraries are still important for the purpose of sharing information that is only available on paper.

There is a lot of old books, special interest books, magazines etc. that even in our current technologically advanced time only available on paper.

Example, I am interested in reading some books that were not published recently and are not planned to be scanned into electronic form. Therefore the only option is to get it in the library.

People go to library to spend time there or take home a paper book or a magazine that make them feel more satisfied with the process.

Example, I personally don’t really care about the paper, but I know many people even in my network who prefer paper books.

So we may have different opinions on how technology influence the way we work with various types of information, but what we can see is that in regards to libraries - technology extend their offerings of services to the public and libraries are still important for sharing information that is not always available with new technologies.

Therefore we can’t say that technological advancements have made libraries unnecessary.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Scrum - Team Culture and Wall Manifesto

In the Scrum framework one of the key components is the wall and daily stand-up. In some organisations I worked with the whole concept of the wall is not accepted by many developers, because of the stand-up necessity and "time waste". Very often all that methodology is used for the sake of methodology and not to achieve what we actually do - adding or creating value to our customer (usually called "The Business"). I can understand frustration that is caused by the wall and stand-up process. From the software developer perspective it is really a waste of time for the following reasons: 1. In 95% of cases developers are head down working like hell delivering valuable outcomes that they are accountable for. Extra effort to go to the wall, staying there for 15-30 minutes and listening or not listening to what others were doing yesterday and will be doing tomorrow is annoying for them; 2. The mere fact of having to do something mandatory to do that looks like

Construction issues resolution in Sydney - part 17

It's been a while since  the last post In January 2016 the owner lodged an application to NCAT against owners corporation to fix three major defects: - waterproofing of large windows in the living room and bedroom which led to windows full replacement - bathroom drain fix - planterbox fix The owners corporation didn't come to mediation and tribunal ordered to fix all defects within 2 months (the deadline was 8th July 2016). The owners corporation as usual didn't rush to comply with the order regarding two items: bathroom and planterbox. The windows works started end of April 2016. At the same time owners corporation decided to check whether it's a warranty and original builder should fix the issues. That was also related to the fact that the variation was submitted by the current contractor who started fixing the defect. So the owners corporation stopped all works in the middle and went off for a month to "make decision". The decision was mad

How strata owners corporation "solves" problems or Construction issues resolution in Sydney - Part 16

Almost 8 months passed from the time of previous post and here's how the owners corporations activities looked like to "resolve" the defects/problems: 1. Independent inspection report was ordered and completed 1st June 2015. The report confirmed the defects that were known to owners corporation already. It should be noted that in the period between December 2014 and June 2015 the only attempts by owners corporation to resolve the issues were to convince the lot owner that it's the owner's personal responsibility. Therefore half a year gone with a couple of meetings only, because people were "on holidays", "busy" etc. 2. Between 3rd July 2015 and end of July 2015 the strata manager spent "contacting the builders for quotes". Until owner called the strata manager nothing have happend. 3. By the end of August 2015 all quotes were in place. The meeting of all owners was set up for the 7th October! Because as usual "holid