Rare Book Monthly
Libraries on the Brink: A topic at the Anarchist Book Fair
"There is no next generation."
About the issues facing libraries Howard Besser of NYU provided a clear overview. He described libraries as a physical place and an online space with a need/obligation to provide both appropriate physical settings and online interaction: a place where communities can meet both in a building and online. He describes libraries as providing authoritative sources with different perspectives but maintaining neutrality on the questions. He compares this with Google which he describes as providing masses of undifferentiated material where everything is mashed together; what is neutral, what is partisan interspersed. He sees for libraries a crucial function but also speaks of them facing de-funding as more and more people accept the undifferentiated search engine approach.
Heather voiced a similar view speaking of libraries as community spaces, access to them important. Heidi said that libraries have to be relevant to all communities to survive. Otherwise they won't be supported.
Bruce[no relation], carrying Oscar, [also no relation] mentioned that public meeting rooms in libraries are important. Danny called the survival of libraries a class issue saying libraries recognize what is happening to them and are trying to tailor their approach and services, to adapt, because they realize the value of their services, even if their patrons don't always. He also suggested where there is both the money and public demand libraries respond. To my categorization that he's optimistic he said he wasn't sure.
Brad suggested reduced funding is taking a toll. He described having library access as a youngster and developing a commitment to reading through his frequent visits. But he also said that later his local library cut back hours to save money and his younger brother and sister never developed the same level of interest in reading.
Laura described how the library in her town took all the chairs out to avoid unwanted traffic. "There is no next generation." She home schools her daughter and needs the local library.
Justin feels library problems are people's fault. Everyone is relying on the internet too much. Neither does he like publishing online because it harms the traditional approach. To the question "how do libraries get back into the game he said it's up to people to go back to them."
Richard feels that it is libraries that need to adapt. They should offer internet access, be a resource to people, resist the temptation to reduce hours, perhaps staff differently. They need to buy the right material and also work to get support. "For libraries it isn't just checking out books anymore."
