The following article is doing the rounds in WA and poses a few interesting questions for the industry. Whilst focusing on public libraries its also of relevance to any library that is changing the way it delivers its services.

http://books.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2262444,00.html


The article challenges the direction in which public libraries are heading and implies a form of prostitution is occurring to entice the customer through the door. Instead of books there are cafes and computers. On the catalogue are hyperlinks to Amazon. And shock, horror, Libraries are selling books as well as lending them.

It is of course a purist point of view of what public libraries should be (to this customer at least) and is tinged with nostalgia for yesteryear. We have many customers who probably wish that libraries do stand still and be that last bastion of times past.

On the other hand is our only role to be the custodians of the written word? Keeper of our past civilisations for the generations to come? The quiet haven for peace and solitude?

Yes, we do have that role to play. But libraries, like any other business fighting for sustainability, need to adapt and respond to the world in which we live. Like it or not, its full of technology and convenience, everything is global rather than local, we are being overloaded with information, social networking online is today's number one communication tool across the world and we really can do almost everything from home (work, shop, play).

In this 'brave new world' libraries are a meeting place as well as a custodian of ideas. We have a people role to play and this is why new library designs include cafes, lounge areas, meeting rooms and increasingly share their spaces with complementary businesses ranging from wine bars (my personal favourite idea) through to basketball courts.

Whilst I applaud the sentiment of the article and would echo the comment 'the value of the arts cannot be measured by its ability to preserve life, but rather to enhance existence', I believe libraries are not selling their soul at all. Quite the opposite in fact; they are ensuring it survives.