It won't be long, till we start telling our kids how libraries actually used to have a huge amount of books for people to check out. The information age is slowly changing the way we live our lives and it's only a matter of time before the libraries will be affected as well. With that being said, I do believe that schools need to start to make the right choices about where to go to for the future. If you can have a book on-line and read it whenever you want, or drive 2 blocks away in your car during a certain time window during the week for a book that may or may not be there, is an argument that won't be too hard to answer. Having a virtual libary where you can chat with your libarian and get all the information you need when you need it, is exactly where we are heading to.
Especially now, given the price of gas is almost $4 a gallon, people are really watchful about where and how they spend their money and time. There won't be a huge demand for libraries to maintane new books, when they could easily be avaible on-line for a cheaper price. The same argument is also true for the consumer who might have to drive out and waste a bit of gas and time, when they might be able to find their books home and on-line. I don't have any problems with change, but for those of you do might, you should try adjusting now because the tide is coming.
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4 comments:
Very insightful especially your point about the price of gas. I was thinking about that yesterday, if I should drive to Barnes and Noble to buy a $6.99 book or buy it online with shipping for the same price.
But then I saw this Kindle thing on Amazon.com! Have you seen it? It is a wireless portable reader. Maybe your Thing 15 might have already mentioned it.
Libraries have been undergoing the change for sometime...the district libraries have moved away from many print resources and have had them online for many years! And available 24/7!
but beautifully created and colorful children's picturebooks, even older kids' picture books...I think there will always be "paper" access to those ..as a matter of choice!
Regardless, you are right....change is in the air everywhere
I think that libraries, and library patrons, are very aware of the changing tide. The Houston Public Libraries don't carry copies of books, popular or otherwise, at every branch. If I want to get a book from the library I go online first and put a hold on. Then I bike over and pick it up when it is ready. They have just overhauled their website, and put more emphasize on the library as a tool, not just a place to check out books.
I agree with vwb though, there is just something about print books that cannot be replicated in digital format. I can remember the excitement of going to the library as a child, and still feel that when I smell the scent of books. I bring my 2 year old to the library with me, and she delights in searching through the piles of board books and finding the perfect one for mommy to read. The tide may be changing, but I don't think it is coming as a tidal wave.
I agree VWB, and wonderweiss, There is nothing like a good book to take your mind away from reality...I also believe that paperbooks will always find a niche market, but will eventually be for people who have nostalgia.
I don't know if I saw the Kindle product, A mitch, But I did see a portable reader, and I think something like this is where we are likely heading towards to.
Ok...so maybe not a tidal wave, but a change none the less is coming.
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