Not regularly, actually, not ever. I keep seeing the perception that by going digital, being aware of and, gasp! even using technology means that librarians and libraries are throwing aside traditionally services in favor of sexy new toys like Twitter. That in order for a library to have a Facebook profile first we have sacrifice 100 books to the Social Media gods.
As a Digital Branch Manager I have nothing against books, heck, I think we should have more books. At home, in my personal library, I probably have more books at home than some of my “traditional” peers. Do not get rid of the books.
I do think libraries need to develop along with the society they serve.
I don’t understand the people who want libraries to continue to be about the book; solely about the ink and paper book. The world is evolving at an amazing rate, nothing is standing still. Why shouldn’t libraries move forward? If we stand still how will we serve our patrons as they move forward?
So many people see the addition of new services as a threat to the old. I don’t think anyone is planning to throughout the baby with the bathwater. Evolution isn’t easy, sometimes its painful, some attempts will die off, but it is necessary. The world is changing, faster every day, if we can’t change with it we will be left behind. The people who need and want libraries in all their forms will go without.
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