Library Services in the Digital Age (PEW)

Library Services in the Digital Age.  (2013, January 22). Pew Research Internet Project.  Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/library-servies-in-the-digital-age/

This article is about ushering libraries into the digital age.  It discussed how people use libraries, library priorities, and what technology patrons would like to see at the library.  2,252 Americans ages 16 and older were surveyed for this article.  Reasons people gave for using the library were browsing for books, borrowing books, researching, borrowing visual media, and attending classes or programs for themselves or their children.  The survey found that people thought library priorities should be coordinating with local schools, offering free literacy programs, having comfortable spaces in the library, and offering more e-books.  Having said all that, 59% of the people surveyed agreed that libraries should move books and printed material out of public locations to make room for tech centers, reading rooms, and cultural events.  When ask what kind of technology should be implemented into the libraries, people surveyed said online services, "petting zoos", app-based access, and "redbox" lending.  73% surveyed said they would use online research services to get answers from librarians.  69% said they would like "petting zoo" access, where they could try out new devices in the library.  63% surveyed said they would like app-based access to materials and programs.  63% said they would like "Redbox" style lending machine.  This way they could check out books, movies, or music from machines throughout the community without having to actually go to the library.  In my opinion, all this technology would be really cool to use, but when it comes down to it, I would miss the library. To me, going to a library, search for your book, and finally find the right one is an experience.  Having a discussion with a librarian about a research topic or new book is something that can not be traded for cool new technology.  Once libraries start becoming less personalized they start becoming obsolete. The Digital Age is awesome, and some great things can happen as our libraries enter the Digital Age, but let's not lose sight of the purpose of libraries.

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