Libraries as a consistent place of constant change
In 1731, the first library was established by Benjamin Franklin in what would become the United States. He set up the first library so everyone would have access to books, and thus knowledge. He was young, uneducated, and poor. But, he had friends that were rich enough to have private collections of books and they often loaned him their books. Franklin realized that books (and knowledge) should be available to everyone. Thus, he talked several of his friends into donating their personal collection of books to form a library. Voilà! The first library was established.
Libraries today operate on the same concept of Benjamin Franklin’s library – resources should be available to everyone. However, over the years, resources have changed, how people use resources has changed, and technology has changed. Therefore, libraries have had to constantly change to stay relevant.
Since Benjamin Franklin’s first library, resources have changed. Books are still very much part of libraries. However, unlike Franklin’s library, libraries today have children’s books. Libraries offer books for children because early exposure to books has been proven to help with early literacy. Also, libraries, unlike Franklin’s, carry fiction for all ages. But, books are not the only resources libraries provide. Some libraries have a tool lending library, culinary kits, DVDs, seeds, and even ukuleles. As patron’s needs change, libraries must also change to fill the needs of society.
Not only have resources changed, but how people use resources and libraries has also changed. Today, when someone goes to their local library looking for tax documents, for example, certainly there will be a book available, but more likely, they will download a form from the public computer to print out. People today are more likely to start researching a topic using the internet, so libraries offer computers (with internet access) to facilitate web browsing. Today’s patrons, being busy people, also enjoy using audiobooks to keep up with their readings. These were not even an option 100 years ago.
Of all the differences affecting libraries, technology has had the most significant impact. Computers have changed the way we catalog books, making it possible for patrons to search and request books (and resources) from their own homes. At the library where I work, Wi-Fi is the most often used resource. We have a sizable rural population that lives away from affordable internet connection. So patrons come in to just hang out and use their laptops and other devices for school work, banking, browsing, downloading, updating and playing games. Even after hours, patrons stop by and sit outside the library to use the Wi-Fi. Public computers are another resource that is greatly appreciated at libraries. Patrons come to browse, write documents, buy tickets for entertainment or travel, make reservations and so much more. There are some patrons that using computers is the only library resource they use. Libraries also check out technology such as hotspots, chromebooks. Today, without technology, libraries would not be offering society what it really needs. These items were not even a distant goal of Benjamin Franklin’s library.
Future libraries will be the same: they will be bastions of intellectual freedom, and also community hubs. What the future resources will be, what the community needs will be, is anyone’s guess. But, as always, since the earliest libraries, they will change to keep up with society and the needs of the community.
Resources:
American Library Association,(n.d.). Before 1876 – about ALA. http://www.ala.org/aboutala/before-1876
Berkeley Public Library, (n.d.). Tool lending library. https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/locations/tool-lending-library
Casey, M. E., & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007). Library 2.0 : a guide to participatory library service. Information Today.
Mendocino County Library, (n.d.). Borrow. https://www.mendolibrary.org/borrow
San Mateo County Libraries, (n.d.). Pick up a ukulele at your local library! https://smcl.org/blogs/post/pick-up-a-ukulele-at-your-local-library/
Stephens, M. T. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship : finding hope, inspiration, and balance. ALA Editions.
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