The Future of Public Libraries

When I talk about a new library for Westwood, I am frequently asked “What is the future of public libraries?” People are concerned that new technologies such as the Amazon Kindle are going to make libraries obsolete. This question really asks librarians to describe what the 21st century public library will look like.

There is no doubt that libraries and other institutions (i.e., newspapers) that rely on the printed word to communicate ideas and stories are in transition. The development of a digital version of the book that is portable and adds features (dictionary, type size options, etc.) which the printed page lacks appears here to stay. In addition, more information appears on Internet web pages and in on-line databases every day, and these may never appear in print.

Given all this, I am confident that public libraries will be just as well-used and as important in the decades to come. In the twenty-plus years that Westwood has been a member of the Minuteman Library Network, I have witnessed many examples of libraries utilizing technology for new and popular services. And even though we continue to expand our on-line services, like down-loadable audio books, more people come to the library each year.

In large part that’s because libraries are more than a collection of books or DVDs. The lasting strength of public libraries is the place we provide for the community to come together for information, cultural activities, and recreation. Whether you come for a tax form, to borrow a museum pass, or to take a yoga class, the public library provides you with opportunities to explore your interests and join others in doing so.

That’s why in planning for a new library we are putting so much emphasis on an efficient and adaptable user-friendly space that is attractive, comfortable, and convenient for everyone. The types of materials we offer will certainly expand in kind and change in the years to come, but the public library’s role in the community, to be a source of information no matter what the technology that delivers it, will be just as vital.