SCPL Online NonFiction Book Club discussion

In 1979 the RAND Corporation announced that Libraries would soon be obsolete. Last year, Forbes posted an article by author Panos Mourdoukoutas arguing that Libraries should be replaced by Amazon and Starbucks to save taxpayers money. The article received vehement opposition and was removed from their website after about a week. One of the stories woven through Orlean’s book is the variety of people that are served and the variety of services that are offered at the Los Angeles Public Library. Towards the end of the book Orlean writes about the variety of ways and methods that people have used over the years to get library material to patrons from horse-drawn book wagons to book mobiles to vending machines to book boats to animal power.

Having done my Masters in Library Science I have many reasons, some I share quite passionately, about why libraries matter and why I think they will continue to exist into the future. Based on this book and your experiences in libraries, why do you think they have continued to exist and do you think they will continue to exist into the future?

Maybe I am bias because of the librarian in the family but I think Libraries are more relevant moving into the future than ever. Libraries have a role even in our changing technology world. First of all Reading is still relevant. The ability to read is still a necessary skill. Children do better in school who are exposed to reading. I had trouble reading out loud in school as a child. My mom regularly took us to the library. I entered a wonderful world that I could pick books that were at my level and my interest. My parents never would have been able to afford the books that we read. I don't remember if we went to library programs as kids. But my children did. Story hour, summer reading clubs etc. were a staple of our life. Each one of my children had different strengths but these programs kept them reading in the summer so skills weren't forgotten and gave them things to think about, try and expand their world. As they grew they have kept up their reading and have used it for grade school, highschool, college/university. They all are still reading ....

The programs they were involved in also helped with social skills, with other children and adults. Something that is always good!

But what else can the library do. Access. Libraries can be communal hubs. Places where people can access information in multiple forms. Digital, Data Bases, Audio, entertainment. We have a growing elderly population. Books in large print or audio books are very helpful to those who sight diminishes. Classes and tech time helps those who don't have access to the knowledge to use our ever changing technology.
Not all of our population has equal access to the internet in this digital world. This becomes a disadvantage to those who can not afford one or understand how to use one.
Research is still necessary. Providing a depository of local history and happenings for the future.
Possibly twining with social agencies for new immigrants, english as a second language, the popular tax clinics held in the spring.
Forward moving libraries are incorporating small art galleries, maker spaces to encourage development and life time learning.
I probably haven't even touched base with all that could be a possibility.
I haven't read the book mentioned but I guess I should check it out.
Forward thinking people embrace knowledge and learning for healthy societies. Libraries may change but the reason they exist should not.

Thank you for your comments Jo! You have definitely hit many great points about what libraries can and do offer to their patrons. You clearly have a great passion for libraries and I hope you enjoy the book!

~Anne