Yes, I'm a Librarian; No, I'm not Obsolete

Books still relevant says Forbes magazine. It is at best naive, and at worst ignorant to assume that everything is available on the Internet for free. And yet, there are still individuals that do assume this. Instead of seeing libraries as a place where the wealth of knowledge of humanity can be discovered, social and intellectual discourse can occur, and information can be obtained relatively easily, they see libraries as outdated, replaced by technology, and as storehouses for dusty and irrelevant volumes. Reasons for this no doubt include the two decades of advertising from the Computer industry that a computer and an Internet connection will automatically guarantee your child a place in the Genius line, as well as a lack of direction and good publicity from librarians.

Libraries are about place. Libraries are about books. Libraries are about connecting. Libraries are about intellectual conversation.

In a world becoming more deeply fragmented by information format, specialized research interests, and virtual "connection", libraries remain a place where the world can come together and connect people, books, and information in a comfortable and open atmosphere. Technology is the tool we use to assist in all of these things - it is not the replacement for them.

Don't discount them quickly.

On the other hand, we could be more convenient. Library 2.0 Delivery - the NetFlix Generation (Opens a PDF document). I'm a librarian, I love libraries, and I love pulling little bits of information out of search databases, hunting down that perfect resource - the more obscure, the more fun. Still, is there some good reason (besides patron privacy) that I can't have a list of books I've read, or make a list of books I'd like to read?

I love the idea of making a library accessible to patrons. I more than occasionally resent the fact that I can't list an OPAC search by relevance instead of "most recently added", or can't change my patron information. For that matter, it'd be fantastic to be able to use my Credit Card or PayPal account to pay fines or purchase Interlibrary Loan items that require payment. There are any number of ways we could make the library experience better for patrons - what are we doing to make them happen? Or are we going to be like the RIAA and video industry - pushed out of a customer base because we can't adapt to people's expectations.

And that's not a place I like to go to.