When’s the last time you went to a library, or picked up a physical book to read that you didn’t already own? What do you think will become of libraries?
For quite literally thousands of years, libraries were a gathering place to store and exchange knowledge. If you wanted to learn something you had to go to a library or ask a subject expert in that field. You didn’t have any other option. If you wanted to learn you had to seek it out at the wonderful establishment of a library.
And while libraries do still exist, they are not as critical to learning as they used to be.
Within the first world and today’s modern era, knowledge can be found from any spot. Anywhere that has a cellular or wireless internet connection. Any item or subject can be researched in a matter of moments and there is text audio and video available on that subject within a seconds notice.
So our libraries a thing of the past? I don’t think so.
I feel like libraries, just as all things, must change to stay current with our world. There is still a unique experience of discovering knowledge that comes by looking at books in a library. It exposes you to subjects and matters of critical thinking that may not have been explored otherwise. Library’s offer a place free from external distractions where you can spend your time researching a topic with a dedicated presence of mind. While printed books may not be the preferred median of information gathering in today’s society there are many methods that apply to many different people for how they best pickup information.
Libraries should not be afraid to change and it doesn’t mean they need to forget what they are. It just means they need to adapt to the 21st century. Incorporate data and AI learning algorithms with your printed books. Create areas where individuals can physically browse digital products through giant touch screens display windows and available downloads for streaming.
Incorporate learning assistants into your reading stations. Allow areas where students can talk to subject matter experts in a specific field virtually. Designate areas that play informational videos on specific topics at specific times. Set up listening stations for binaural audio so individuals can de stress. Libraries should incorporate gaming centers so those not able to afford their own systems have a place where they can be involved and join gaming leads. They should not just offer internet services but they should offer the fastest internet available in the city.
It should be a place where people want to be because it has the best atmosphere, the best selection of information, the best digital interfaces, the best internet connectivity and the most knowledgeable individuals accessible within that structure.
Libraries sit in a very special place in our society where they have so much potential to become more than they are. Most cities in the United States have a library. They have a physical landmark structure that used to be a place where people were so excited to gather to learn new things. I think libraries can become that again they just need to acknowledge the potential that they have.
TESRTECK
TESRTECK Media Group 