My Library Card Expired, Why I am Okay With It
This is an opinion-based guest post by Mike Danielczyk. Mike is a college business graduate, creative writer, sports enthusiast, entrepreneur at heart, and a fun-loving guy who writes on various trending topics of interest. You can follow him on Twitter @Dzick508.
Big, small, quiet or smelly, every town has one; and you more than likely owe them money. I’m talking about libraries. With ‘est. 1789’ signs posted at the entrance, quiet signs lining the hallways and confused faces at the Dewey decimal system station, libraries are quite unremarkable establishments today. As a Generation Y member I did frequent libraries as a child. I remember getting my library card, the endless searching of the shelves, the struggle to stay awake trying to complete my book report and the nickel it costs to make a copy ( I heard copies cost $0.25 now!). Today my library card is at the bottom of some junk drawer and it would not surprise me if libraries were on the verge of extinction.
Library, meet 2010 and this thing called a computer, be envious
Adios Dewey Decimal thing, bonjour silence, hello information highway and konnichiwa iTunes. Today we have something I like to call a ‘desktop library’ at our fingertips. A desktop library has infinite pages of information, search optimization tools, it’s quick, it’s easy and portable; some refer to it as the Internet. Grab a drink, a bag of chips, turn on Aerosmith’s greatest hits and do some research, even glance back at Judge Judy if you so choose. Want to research the production process of Almonds? Well Google, Wikipedia, Wikianswers, Yahoo, and countless other search engines will bring this information to you, and very quickly. In a traditional library I would suggest you ask the secretary and begin what would turn into a wild goose chase of shelf navigating, book searching and page flipping.
In middle school we were given 3 weeks to do a 3 page book report on a subject of our choosing, and this workload seemed immense. This entailed trips to the library, creating outlines, referencing countless books and undoubtably having late fees. Today we can get assigned these same projects and conduct an information search within minutes, even seconds with a plethora of data on the Internet.
Translation: people in the library business are in trouble.
I cannot guarantee this, but I will say it anyways: As computer sales rose and Google’s visits increased, I guarantee foot traffic in libraries declined. With fewer visitors, less books being check out, and inflation of printing prices, libraries today cannot compete with our ‘desktop libraries’; It is a grim realization for those still attached to that industry.
Libraries, like Eureka’s Castle, are another piece of the Generation Y childhood that is disappearing. Library cards are going to end up on Ebay and Pawn Stars 50 years from now, and our grandchildren will probably question us about their very existence. It is not a ‘story book’ ending for such a traditional information outlet, however barring they knock on my door collecting late fees, I am completely okay with this chapter of my childhood ending.
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I engage in this debate all the time – it usually ends with someone stating "but libraries are free" and then I return with "No, we spend billions with a 'B' in tax payer dollars every year to keep them running."
The problem with this and any similar arguments is that almost every community has people who can't afford computers or Internet access. Libraries provide that access. If libraries were to disappear, there would be a whole lot of disenfranchised who would no longer have access to information. Have you really stepped into a library lately? My local library is very busy every day, with lots of people using the computers, but also reading magazines, and checking out books. Libraries are far from obsolete; they are still a lifeline for many people who, especially in this economy, can't afford any other way to access information or find books to read.
It sounds like you haven't been inside a library since you were in school, which is fine, but I urge you to check in on your local public library today just for grins. Libraries are not as stuck in the mud as you make them sound – they do know what the internet is, and even more, they provide internet access to the public for free. Many branches even have wireless access. They have online databases and provide links to reliable, vetted information.
You discount the role that libraries play in providing access to the internet and other sources of information to those who can't afford it on their own. And I guarantee you that your visits to the library as a child, wading through those stuffy books, are a part of the reason that you are a literate college graduate. Keep in mind that your privileged experience (yes, reliable access to the wonder of the internet is a privilege) does not reflect that of the rest of the world.
Ignorance is bliss..until your desktop library crashes and you need a place to print out your work or use the computer to tweet more of your ignorance. That is what libraries are for. We serve the underprivileged, the privileged, the young, the old and the ignorant. Stop in and say hello one time. Because eventually you'll need to use the library and guess what? It will always be there.
Check out this article:
Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries
http://impact.ischool.washington.edu/documents/OP…
It is interesting that the following blurb was in an email that directly followed the email about this blog. As anyone can see, quite a few people still use and appreciate the dusty old library.
Based on surveys of nearly 50,000 individuals at 400 libraries across the country, the report, “Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries,” found that nearly one-third of Americans age 14 or older — some 77 million individuals — used a public library computer or wireless network to access the Internet over the past year. Sixty percent of those individuals used a library computer to connect with others; 40 percent received help with career needs; 37 percent focused on health issues; 42 percent received help with educational needs, 37 percent of whom used a library computer to do homework. The full report is available at: http://impact.ischool.washington.edu/documents/OP…
It is true that you can do a lot of research with a computer. But for some reason libraries all across the country are busier now than they have ever been before. Stop by your local library and see. I bet you find more people than chairs. People come to libraries for workshops, lectures, exhibits, movies. They visit library websites to download audio books and videos. They ask a reference librarian to help them find the most useful website when they are overwhelmed by the 5,870,000 hits they get on the almond search.
Foot traffic is up in libraries across the U.S. And Kat is correct that many people are using their libraries for internet access. A recent study offering statistics can be found here:
http://impact.ischool.washington.edu/documents/OP…
The writer claims that he can find any information he wants on the internet but is clearly too lazy to actually take the time to do any research at all.
Stop into a library sometime, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised! People have been ringing the alarm bell that Google means the death of libraries for a while now. Not true! For people who don't have internet access and aren't familiar with computers, libraries are a great place to learn. We carry old-fashioned books made of trees, sure, but did you know that most libraries these days will give you access e-books, audio books that you can burn to your iPod and more?
Google is pretty fantastic, but it only scratches the surface. There's a "deep web" of online information only available through library databases — accessing it could mean the difference between a C or B on your research paper, and the A that you are striving for.
You seem to be concerned about your library fines — if you bring back your items on time (or early!) you'll never have to pay a single cent to use your public library. If you do have some fines racked up (it happens to the best of us) why not ask your librarian if you can work out some kind of payment plan? Most librarians are very forgiving!
I think the future of libraries is as a "third space" neither work/school or home. A place you can use to meet with friends, hang out, socialize with your book club, join a knitting group, hear a guest lecture or storytime.
Libraries aren't dead — the current economic crisis has us hurting to be sure, but I think libraries place in the community is more needed than ever.
It is quite amusing that someone boasting that they never use the library posts a very poorly researched essay, an essay that could clearly benefit from some professional guidance, perhaps with the help of a library "secretary." (We call them librarians, and many have master's degrees.)
The internet is great for many reasons, but if you would like free access to solid, peer-reviewed professional publications, the Internet is not the place: try your public library's database collection.
Libraries are busy beyond belief, and all of those "billions of dollars" in taxes have been declining for years, while library use has grown exponentially.
Check out this article about library use:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/03…
My favorite quote: "Interestingly, the majority of library Internet users surveyed said they also have a connection at home. But they said they went to their public libraries because the Internet connections were faster and they could ask a librarian to help with the technology."
Stop by your library, and I think you'll be impressed.
From a GenXer to a GenYer–you should do your research. Maybe you should start at your library? Libraries have done nothing but increase in "foot traffic" as well as "virtual traffic" over the years since the dawn of the internet. What do libraries have these days that keeps people coming in? Try audiobooks, free downloadable content for your e-readers (and I'm talking the newest content here, not your google freebies), CDs, DVDs, magazines, not to mention free Internet as well as yes, books, which are not so archaic as you think. We also have databases, where you can do legitimate research for your research papers and information needs–your teacher probably won't take Wikipedia as a valuable source. They also have awesome programming, where you can engage with your neighbors face to face. And this programming might be more important to you when you have children of your own, because fun, educational, free programming is hard to find. I am a librarian working in a small town's library, and this weekend we had a sports figure come in to talk to kids with nearly 200 attendees.
I find this post terribly sad, this is a failure on both of our parts. It's a failure on your part to look outside of yourself and see why some people might need and love their libraries (consider, for instance, that many people still cannot afford computers or the internet in their homes), and also a failure on our part as libraries/librarians to educate the public as to WHY we are so valuable.
I work in the only industry that I know of where more and more people buy into my product and yet it becomes less and less valuable in the eyes of the public.
It is interesting that statistics show just the opposite. Libraries are being used now in numbers to great to ignore! Almost across the board, library circulation is up, library attendance is up. People find the amount of information available overwhelming, and come to the experts, trained information specialists, for help in sifting through the chaff of incorrect and obsolete online information, to find the wheat. 21st Century librarians have embraced the challege of the electronic frontier, and provide assistance in browsing the Internet, evaluating online resources, and providing remote access to library users worldwide, with services like online database access and 24/7 online reference service. In fact, libraries were are the forefront of bridging the digital divide by providing Internet access for those who could not afford it at home.
Historically, libraries have always become busier in times of economic strife, and the current crisis is no exception. Libraries are busily assisting people with writing resumes, doing job searches, finding information to assist with bankruptcy and foreclosure information, to name a few.
Perhaps before you make assertions that libraries are a dying breed, and that people no longer need them, you should google your facts! You would have found that libraries are thriving. A recent study by the Gates Foundation, for example, found that over a third of Americans use library computers in their daily lives; 44% of those under the poverty level rely on libraries for computer access, and 60% of teenagers visit the library weekly. That is more than 77 million Americans visiting libraries annually.
Our public library's circulation, computer, program, door count, and children's services stats have been going up steadily for the past 3 years.
"Desktop libraries" are only available to those who can afford them at home. Public libraries provide them for free — that is one reason that we are so busy. These will be obsolete when the internet/wifi is available free across the country/globe.
Libraries are no longer the quiet boring places they used to be. Library staff realize they have to grow with the times. We have ebooks to lend, audio books for your ipod that you can download at the library, coffee bars for you to enjoy your coffee while reading the newest issue of that magazine you don't want to spend your hard earned money on. We have comfy areas to sit and chat with your friends so that you don't have to buy endless cups of coffee at the local coffee shop. We have programs for your children so that they can socialize with other children before they start kindergarten. I love knowing that because I brought my five year old to the library he'll have a heads up on other kids when he's learning to read. The internet can't teach my son to read, and I'm sure not spending $18 a piece for picture books when I can get them at the library. We also have programs for senior citizens who are lonely and need a place with a friendly face.
No libraries aren't free. In my community, $35 of your tax dollars go to your community library. How many nook books, magazines, or months of internet access would that get you? Not many, I'm afraid. When someone you love loses their job and can't pay for the internet to look for a new job, many of which only accept applications online, you know where they'll go. The library, because they can also find books on resumes, programs on job hunting, and a friendly face to help them when they need someone to look over their resume really quick.
As a person who works in a community where most people can barely afford rent, much less the expense of a computer and internet access, and this was before the economic downturn, your artlcle only reflects you ignorance about what is really going on in various parts of this country. Look at the facts, library usage is up, circulation is huge, and more and more people value what you don't. In short, Libraries Rock!!!!
As a Librarian who doesn't feel threatened by the Internet and all it has to offer…a library provides a safe place for kids to hang out, a place where kids without computers to play and explore the Internet, and a place for parents to bring their children for storytime. You can learn a new language, check out movies, check out books, check out magazines, learn a new craft, update your resume, download audiobooks, and so much more. The Library isn't just about what is in the 4 walls, but what you can get for FREE (okay, tax dollars pay for it) on the Internet because without it it would cost more than pennies on the dollar. Visit your local library and see what it does for EVERYONE!
If you had bothered to google library usage, you might have come across this report (http://www.imls.gov/pdf/Brief2010_01.pdf) from ALA (the american library association) which clearly states that library useage is up 19% between 1997 and 2007… not sure where you got this idea that libraries are declining… Try stepping into a library sometime and you'll see that they're bustling, busy places full of computer terminals.
Wow! I still see people reading…Harry Potter, Twilight, the Wimpy kid, just to name a few books that people still "read". I still see a lot of parents reading books to their children, too, with great results enjoying time together. Are computers great? Yes. Are they everything to our society? No. Storytimes, craft classes, book groups are all alive and well at my library!
I work in a public library in a small town – our population is around 10,000 – and we are busy every day. We have counters on our doors and serve over 2500 people a week. We have 10 public internet computers and they are full nearly all day every day. We also check out dvds and have well over 2000 to choose from. These free services keep our library very active and up to date. We don't have any fear of our library closing for lack of use.
This is one of the most ignorant, elitist pieces of nonsense I have ever read in my entire life. Newsflash: Not everyone on the planet has a computer in their house or is computer literate.
I work in a library and it is busy from the time we open to the time we close. We serve an urban population that has limited access to computers and books. Also, many of the people who come through our doors are people needing help filling out online job applications or people who have been laid off from their longtime jobs and have never needed to learn how to use a computer until now.
Social service agencies and state agencies are constantly sending people to the library to fill out online applications or to get assistance with benefits questions. We are on the front lines of quite a few issues in the community.
smith, you are my new best friend
It's too bad that your card has expired. If it were still good, I bet you could log on to your public library's webpage (for free, from home) and find reliable, up-to-date information.
Sure, Yahoo Finance can give you a stock quote, but your library's business databases like Morningstar, Standard and Poor's, or Value Line can give you ratings, analysis, and in-depth company profiles (for free, from home)
If your iPod's library needs some refreshing, you could head to iTunes and grab an an abridged audiobook for $30+, or you could log on to your library's webpage (for free, from home) and download an mp3 audiobook.
When you're setting up for your fantasy baseball draft, you could check out a copy of Baseball Prospectus 2010 to read up on stats and predictions without subscribing online. You could even request the book from the library's website (for free, from home), and have it waiting at the library's front desk.
One blogger recently reported that her public library saved her over $1000 in 2009. Whether or not you're a reader (of books), your public library is a valuable asset that you're ignoring.
I can tell from your article that you haven't been in a library for sometime. Libraries off more than just books and librarians behind the desk saying SHHHHHHHH. Libraries off many free services to the public. they off computer classes fun and interesting programs, books, movies, cd's, tax help, free internet acess, job search assistance, homework help, and so much more. Probalbley the most important service the library offers is a since of community. With some many people struggleing to make ends meet and having to pair down on the "luxery items" at home, cable, and internet access some of those extas people are triming from their budget libraries across the nation are experiance all time useage records. More and more people are finding their way back to the libary as a life line to stay connected with the world. We offer so much for free. We are able to provide more than just information for our customers.
It's too bad that your card has expired. If it were still good, I bet you could log on to your public library's webpage (for free, from home) and find reliable, up-to-date information.
Yahoo Finance will give you a stock quote, but with access to Morningstar or Standard and Poor's from your library's webpage (for free, from home), you can find expert analysis and ratings, in-depth company profiles, and tools to help you build your portfolio.
When you're gearing up for a fantasy baseball draft, check out your library's copy of Baseball Prospectus 2010, and save yourself a subscription fee. You can even request it through the library's catalog (for free, from home), and have it waiting at the front desk.
If your iPod library needs refreshing, head to your library's webpage where you can download (for free, from home) audiobook and ebooks through an online database.
Whether or not you're a 'reader,' the library can save you money. One blogger writes that her library saved her over $1000 last year: http://bit.ly/cUavE0. What could you be doing with $1000 extra dollars in your online bank account?
Foot traffic in libraries has been increasing since computers, google, and wikipedia, with it's greatest increase last year. If you bothered to go to a library or do research on the matter before posting a completely ignorant statement (which is being past around the library world as we speak), then you would have known that libraries are making significant changes to compete with the online world, like offering access to databases and teaching ignorant people like you NOT to use Wikipedia to do your research because the information is not credible. Most likely, if you went back to 3rd grade you would have failed.
Hey, Google library use statistics before you make such sweeping assertions…libraries are busier than ever. Hope to see you at my storytime and checking out Dr Seuss and Curious George when you have kids someday!
I would like to focus solely on your claim that Google and the Internet replace libraries and librarians. I Google too. In fact, I would be willing to bet you that I could out-Google you (and I don't bet so that's saying something). I spend some of my time at the reference desk reading books on Google that are thicker than Gray's Anatomy. I know far too much about using Google as a result. Case in point: In 2008 I was on a vacation with one of my good friends (who, like myself, is a Millenial). We heard about a club all day and upon arriving back at the hotel my friend promptly started Googling the club. After 15 min. I asked if she needed help, pointing out that I was a librarian & she snapped, "I know how to Google, thank you very much!" When I tried I was able to find the information on the club in under 3 minutes. So even without a library's worth of resources, free internet for those that can't afford it, free dynamic programs and hundreds upon hundreds of fabulous books I am still the ultimate search engine. And to think that all that positive library love is coming from a member of GenY.
I see that alot of the comments from this post are aimed toward the fact that libraries offer free internet access to those who can not afford it. Although the computer sections in these libraries may be busy, much more people have internet access now than ever before. This was written from a Gen Y perspective and by someone who used to frequent the library as an individual who enjoyed the learning process. For Gen Y users the most frequent, quickest and easiest way to conduct research is from their 'desktop library'. With ebook devices, cellphones, netbooks, ipads, ipods and computers all offering information tools, technology is growing much quicker than libraries can expand their computer sections. A previous comment stated that many of the people frequenting the library are people who have never used a computer before and need help filling out applications (and the person who posted this works in a library). This supports the original idea that from a Generation Y perspective libraries are informational outlets that are no longer being frequented by Gen Y.
Gen Y is a generation, not a socioeconomic class. Many people your age are in poverty, struggling to survive. They don't have computers and high-speed access at home, or smartphones with unlimited data plans. Many of them have not graduated from college, and need access to the library's job search information, résumé information, computer classes, and other resources.
Another thing you are missing is that the "quickest, easiest" information to find is often not the best or most useful information. A great example is health info. There is an incredible amount of bad, misleading, outdated medical information online, and Google isn't going to tell you what's good or bad. Librarians help people all day, every day find reliable, authoritative sources of information.
Finally, what is your response to the many people who are telling you that your assertion: "I cannot guarantee this, but I will say it anyways: As computer sales rose and Google’s visits increased, I guarantee foot traffic in libraries declined." is simply wrong?
He'll probably backpedal from the fact that his vision of "Gen Y" is upper-middle class, white and apparently doesn't read for fun.
As someone who graduated from undergrad in 2007 I can inform you that many of the people I graduated with either don't have jobs because they either lost the job they started right after college or never got a job beyond serving food because of the current economic climate. This is a shame, but libraries work hard at helping these unfortunate GenY members by offerning many programs and services for finding a new job.
Additionally, as other commenters have pointed out, ebooks and audio are rather costly. Yes it is nice to have these things quickly from your mobile devices, but it's also nice that your library taxes (which are most often under $40) allows you to download all sorts of e and audio books easily.
We are also focusing on this group in sessions such as the PLA conference that just occurred this past week. While many users benefit from free internet, as you pointed out, not all require that service. Instead, we are looking at ways to assist you beyond how we already help many Gen Yers to date.
Oh, Mike. Really? I'm in Gen Y, and I've got to tell you, I'm having a hard time thinking of any friend of mine who doesn't use the library in one form or another. Maybe we have very different friend groups. Please don't assume that you are the voice of our generation, because many of us prefer to educate ourselves through reliable media, not Google searches and poorly researched blogs.
Here's a summary of a Gates Foundation study on library computer use: http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/2010… 1/3 of Americans reported using library computers, and half of the teens surveyed had used the library within the last year.
Read the whole study here: http://cis.washington.edu/usimpact/projects/us-pu…
at no direct cost to you. Yes, libraries do rely on taxpayer dollars for support, but taxpayers can retrieve that money with a visit to a library. Instead of purchasing a book , CD or DVD – rent it for free from your library or with your internet connection. (Yeah libraries have e-books!) Keep a little more money in your pocket! I hope you rethink things before trashing that library card….Bravo fellow commentors who agree that libraries are not a thing of the past! I do agree with Mike that libraries are not thriving entities – but that has more to do with the cuts libraries have seen in their funding rather than usage. __Mike and Kristan: Feel free to use "Google, Wikipedia, Wikianswers, Yahoo, and countless other search engines" to bring "information to you, and very quickly, " Just don't blame a librarian when the information you get is inaccurate. The internet is NOT a reliable source for quality information. __Oh, and when you don't have a job and can no longer afford an up-to-date computer, your internet connection, or to purchase books, DVD's and music CD's – Please be sure to remember that your public library can provide all these items and more
I don't just use my library for books in case you didn't notice there are computers there too which for those of us who CANNOT AFFORD their own computer it's nice to have a place to work the library is also where I met some of my closest friends none of whom I met because we were looking at the same books but because we went to some activity that was held there like making chocolate we get to keep and eat, watching Anime, playing games we don't have to buy, oh and meeting famous authors I bet you can't do that over a computer as most authors would refuse to set aside time in their scheduals to meet ONE person and chatting with someone online is not the same as seeing them in person I for one go to the library every Thursday not for school but for fun it's a quiet safe place to hang out don't believe me your loss
Have you actually been in a library in the past ten years? Because I work in one, and I don't want to alarm you, but we actually have computers IN libraries these days. And people who can't afford their own computers come in to use them. I know, it's crazy, right?
Because libraries don't have computers. That would be crazy-talk!
I work at a thriving mid-sized library in the Midwest. I'm the teen services librarian there – in other words, I work with members of Generation Y every day. Currently, the teen collection is one of the highest circulating collections at our library. I run several monthly programs that are well attended by teens, including an anime club that regularly sees 30 or more people at a meeting, as well as monthly gaming days and writing workshops. In addition, I'm seeing lots of recent high school graduates who came to my programs and used the library for homework help continue to visit us to check out materials. We're also located right next to the campus of a large state university, and see lots of young college students cross our doors every day, even though they've got quite a nice academic library right on campus. They know that we can provide great reference services as well as games, movies, CDs, and books for them to check out and enjoy in their down time.
Even if we didn't provide free Internet access, games and DVDs, programs and events, and reference help, the library would still be worthwhile just for the books it contains. I'm a rabid reader, and long before I decided to work in the library world as a career, I still visited my local library at least once a week to check out books. Without the library, there's no way I would have been able to afford to read even a fraction of what I have. Some, even most, of the population can't afford to just pop out to a bookstore and buy whatever books they want. Having a public library available is invaluable to voracious readers.
Where did you get the idea that libraries are quiet from?? Many libraries now have Starbucks-style cafes. And where is this idea that because people own computers, they necessarily know all the right techniques in using them? I have learned from the libraries about keywords, as well as sophisticated ways of searching EVERYONE's search engine: Google.
Libraries are also important hubs for immigrants: they offer language-learning materials, and many offer language-learning classes. Seniors can go there to learn Internet skills, while parents can bring children for story times (which, yes, are traditional). Did you know that you can even find auto repair reference manuals at your library, and here in Canada, many libraries offer free downloadable books for iPods and mp3 players.
The first thing you associate libraries with is fines (which are an indicator of how actively YOU keep on top of things, not the library personnel). It's clear to me that you have never attended a job search session, an adult book club or a poetry work shop at your library. Too bad you didn't make any effort before writing such an arrogant post.
I'd like to challenge Mr. Danielczyk to go spend some time in his public library…talk to a librarian, download an ebook, attend a program. It would be interesting to see if his opinion changes in any way!
Guess what-I'm a member of Gen Y and (GASP!) I'm a a librarian!!! Before saying the library is a thing of the past, I would suggest you actually visit your library and see what it has to offer. I am a teen librarian, which means I work with Gen Y on a regular basis. As I write this (and guess where I am-yep, the library!) there are 17 teens (members of Gen Y remember) using the teen space. That doesn't seem empty and not being used. What are these members of Gen Y doing? Working on homework, browsing the internet, browsing for books, and hanging out with friends. (Wow-you mean the library isn't boring but can be a fun place to hang out with friends??)
My library is busy on a daily basis, not just with teens, but with all ages who not only use the computers, but are checking out books, movies, CDs, e-books (we gave a program on Saturday about our FREE downloadable e-books and we had 100 people in attendance!), using our (FREE) meeting rooms, attending storytimes, attending programs on geneology, gardening, crafts, international potlucks (which is sponsered by two college students-members of Gen Y!), and book clubs (and yep, we have a Gen X book club).
If my library wasn't being used and is fading away, why do we currently have 83 people on hold for Dear John, 161 waiting for The Help, and regular hold lists over 300 people for current bestsellers (and we buy between 30-50 copies of this large hold lists, so no, our customers won't be waiting a year to read it). Not everyone wants to buy a book or movie and not everyone can buy a book or movie or afford to have a Netflix account.
Sure, Google may be easy to use (hey, I love Google and use it all the time for simple information searches) but when I want something deeper, I'm going to use the library.
So maybe the library may seem obsolete to you, but I suggest you check it out and see what's going on-you might surprise yourself and discover they actually do have something for you.
I appreciate all the comments and conversation everyone has posted regarding this blog. I wrote on this subject based on personal opinion and a small sample size of people and will admit research should have been done with statistics however i have since seen some of the numbers thanks to your feedback. With that being said I still believe Generation Y's participation in libraries can not be considered strong. It appears there is a correlation between the downturn in the economy and peoples use of the library (this is based on the comments posted by people in the library world). Providing free internet to the community is a strong tool being used by libraries to attract visitors, but what will happen when internet becomes much more affordable in the near future or the economy begins to improve? Is it inaccurate to forecast a decline in the number of people using the provided computers? As I said, i appreciate the feedback and it was more than I imagined with good insights and facts I had not known. Additionally I do stand behind my main intended message as a Generation Y'er however my depiction of the current state of libraries may be accelerated. Again this was written from a personal standpoint and did not mean to upset or offend anyone with my post. Thank you for your comments and concerns.
what will happen when internet becomes much more affordable in the near future or the economy begins to improve? Is it inaccurate to forecast a decline in the number of people using the provided computers?
Almost undoubtedly not. Libraries do their best to keep up with the current technology, and as the internet and computers get cheaper, the next generation of information technology will inevitably appear and be just as expensive as what is currently available. Besides that, as other people have noted, what you, on your own, can access is actually rather a lot less than you would be able to access from your local library (see the post upthread about the types of business information you can access from home versus from the library.
And then, of course, there's the convenience of free, loaned books, although apparently you don't– what? Don't care? Don't read for fun? Books are expensive and not everyone has the money or wants to buy any book that strikes their fancy. Plus the events and programming that can be found at any library worth their salt.
"It's just my opinion" is a piss-poor method of backpedaling when you wrote a badly-researched post stating the "fact" that "people in the library business are in trouble." If this post is an example of the "information" that can be at your fingertips when you have the internet, I'm going to guess that libraries will be around for a looooooong time.
You are right in pointing out that much of the current Gen Y usage comes from job searching (which will continue to be of help after the economic downturn, though obviously not as much as it is right now). And while we are presently looking into various methods of trying to engage Gen Yers beyond high school it might be helpful to ask you what we can do. Rather than negatively state that libraries are obsolete, please inform us as to what we could be doing to better serve you–the self-appointed voice of Gen Y. I would be interested to know.
I'm a member of Gen Y too. I don't see that libraries are obsolete and it's not just because I'm a library student. I do agree that, as a younger adult, the library doesn't cater to me the way it did when I was a kid. I missed out on YA programming as well, so it was a long time before I got back into the library.
When I was an undergraduate, no one took the time to explain how to use or cite resources other than books. That meant we had to use books for any papers unless we wanted to get caught cheating or plagiarizing. Libraries are busier now than ever. If you have a project, Google and Wikipedia won't cut it because you either get penalized for using them when you cite them or get penalized for plagiarism when you don't cite them.
So yeah, the libraries across America need to be more proactive about telling Generation Y why we need them because we are the up-and-coming tax payers. They need to have programs for us just like they do for kids and seniors because we're patrons too.
Foot traffic is up in libraries across the U.S. And Kat is correct that many people are using their libraries for internet access.
There are disadvantaged populations even during the best of times. The Internet access point is probably mentioned so much because it is the first thing that comes to mind to most librarians. Internet access is also more important for day-to-day life than it was a year ago, two years ago, and especially 5 years ago. You fail to identify in your response that you, myself, and most the people contributing to this conversation are privileged to have access to all these technologies. You go ahead and purchase your ebooks, movies, music, and other media, while the rest of us enjoy borrowing them from the library just as our parents and grandparents borrowed printed materials in the past.
As Sarah mentioned, many gen Y members, myself included, quit utilizing the library after childhood. Libraries haven't historically done a good job of bridging the gap between childhood and adulthood. That has slowly changed in the last decade with more emphasis being placed on serving teens. If gen Y members aren't using the library, maybe it's more a case of the library not advocating and selling itself to gen Y. How many commercials promoting your library have you seen alongside a Dell or iPod commercial?
LOL This guy is a clown. Um…you can't get BOOKS on the internet, in case he didn't know…unless he's only reading what Kindle offers. I actually wonder when the last time he actually *read* a book was…I certainly don't want to live in the kind of world he imagines. What next? Advocate no social security, no public education, no healthcare (oh wait a minute – we're headed that way anyway…)
As long as there are people who don't know how to use Google (like our esteemed author) or whatever takes its place, I'm pretty sure there's a place for information retrieval skills. In the meantime, our system saw almost 20% increase in circulation last year, in part thanks to my collection development efforts, so for the time being your apocalyptic scenario is pure fantasy in this neck of the worlds.
But good job with this post. All the previous entries on this site average 2 or 3 comments and a half-dozen retweets. Now this post is making the library rounds and dozens of librarians are descending with swords drawn! Your ability to do research is sorely lacking but you definitely have the viral marketing down!
You don't really get it, do you Mike? Now you say this is an "opinion" piece and you sampled a small population for your information. Everyone should know that a small population is no basis for any sort of factual report, and no doubt your sample population was very biased – your friends, perhaps?
Sure, there is a percentage of young people that have all the nifty technological gadgets that allow them unhindered access to information (other than their inability to properly research or filter the crud the pollutes the internet). But the majority of people don't have pockets full of gadgets, and the library opens doors for intellectual, economic, and social pursuits. And some of those people that own the hardware can't afford the monthly fees for internet access – so the library steps in and provides that for them! Go figure.
Ironically, I know more about computers than I ever would have imagined precisely because I became librarian. Google makes a great spell checker, and as many have mentioned here it takes skill to filter the good information from the bad – remember, ANYBODY can create a blog or website, devoid of editorial assistance. Wikipedia can be a fine place to start research, but certainly isn't the end-all be-all. Yahoo Answers, Ehow, and About.com – I would guess the other librarians who have commented here loathe those sites as much as I do.
The library I work in serves 800-1,000 people every day – all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and every other identifier you might imagine. I'm not sure why you were suddenly compelled to write this bit about libraries, but I'd suggest you do some real research the next time you take on a project like this. You undoubtedly know by now that librarians are sticklers when it comes to backing up your information – even opinions – and if you ever hope for any credibility, you might want to heed their word.
Anne I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this subject and hopefully I can answer some of your concerns about this piece. It appears you question why I say this was an 'opinion' piece and hopefully this will help clear it up. The title I gave this post, I feel, clearly illustrates the body of this is written through my perspective…'And why I am ok with it' (emphasis on the I). I also painted the picture of libraries through my observations of library visits from my youth. Additionally, it seems that you may think I was trying to produce a factual report about libraries; that is not the case. I did mention that I could not guarantee what i proceeded to state, which is why I did not do any research. IF my intention had been to author a factual report I would have certainly done extensive research. Furthermore, because I have received such strong feedback I do believe I should have done some digging prior which I stated in an earlier comment. Thanks to the response from readers like yourself, I have since seen some facts about libraries that did surprise me. As I mentioned in one of my earlier comments, my perspective on libraries may seem to be expressed in an accelerated fashion. However, it was written from my perspective and I do stand behind it. I thank you for your comment and input
You got a strong reaction because you did what a lot of pundits do– you stated your opinion as though it was a fact. You "guaranteed" facts even though you said you couldn't guarantee them. You didn't say "It seems like libraries are failing" or "it seems like libraries should be failing", you said "libraries are failing". You see the difference in those statements, or do you need a librarian to go find you a book on grammar?
Also, most people didn't call you out on it– but you called librarian "secretaries". And you didn't think you get a response about that? That's not even "opinion" territory, that's just "trying to be provocative and ending up sounding dumb" territory. Even children know that librarians aren't secretaries, and if you as a child didn't know, it says more about you than it does about libraries.
If you say shit which is obviously wrong, you should expect to be called out. Saying "Oh, it's just my opinion" doesn't work when you stated your opinion as though it were true. Saying "this was just written from my perspective" doesn't work when your perspective is demonstrably wrong. Even opinions should have some verifiable foundation. Otherwise you out yourself as an ignorant and arrogant person, whose only goal is to look smarter than he actually is.
Greer, I am curious as to how you quote me on "libraries are failing" when those words were never used in this post, maybe citing lessons could help you (you can find these from a simple google search). Another tid-bit of information is that not all people who work at libraries are librarians; there are library associates, shelvers, assistants, etc. (some jobs are actually available on monster.com if you are interested). Lastly, you mention that an opinion has to have some verifiable foundation, my foundation is based upon my disconnect from the library since childhood; this may not be enough of a foundation to satisfy you but I guess that is your opinion. Thank you for you comments on this post and I hope I have helped ease your concerns.
Well, I'll throw in my two cents with the others who have also posted here. It seems a long time since you've actually been in a library. Librarians love the internet and use it all the time when asked a reference question. In fact the reference collection in most libraries is quickly being replaced by internet databases and subscriptions. Yes, they still have books because some of us still like to read them. The also have audio books and DVDs, and while they are tax-supported the percentage of your taxes that goes toward funding libraries is usually very small. As others have mentioned many folks using libraries these days do so for the purposes of accessing the internet either on one of their machine or with your own using their wifi. I visit a lot of libraries, and find very few that resemble the dated picture you describe.
I will second the things my fellow librarians and library-lovers have said and I'll add that the children of Generation Y will find many, MANY things at the library that they can't get on the internet. When your three-year-old asks you how caterpillars turn into butterflies, will you read him the Wikipedia article? Hmm. You could. Or you could go to the library and check out a picture book with words he will actually understand.
And while you're at the library, stop in for a storytime – building those skills that help children get ready to start kindergarten (and that's ALL children, not just children whose parents can afford a computer and an internet connection). And give our early literacy computers a try. They have colorful keyboards, child-sized mice, and educational games that help them build literacy skills. Oh, maybe you can afford to buy computers for your kids, but many families can't.
And I would argue that the entire community is benefited when all children have the opportunity to develop the skills that are going to help them succeed in school. For free. At the public library.
This kid's view of libraries seems incredibly outdated and he probably hasn't been in one since childhood. He seems callous and completely unaware or uncaring about anyone who can't afford a computer much less a high speed Internet connection. Sure, these things may decrease in price but the cost of living is going to continue to go up, there are always going to people who can't afford it. What a sheltered boy he must be!
So because you don't use the library that means nobody else is? Like someone else pointed out you are an elitist and I would add smug. Libraries are not going anywhere anytime soon or ever for that matter. I for one use the library databases, databases that cost hundreds of dollars to subscribe to, for free everyday from my home and office. I would be lost in my research if it were not for those databases. And that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my library usage. I am not alone. Libraries are packed and busy places. And plenty of your GenY peers are there. Maybe before making generalizations and assumptions you should do a little research and actually visit a library.
I'd like to know what prompted Kristin Dziadul to modify the introductory paragraph of the article. The original article (as reprinted at Brazen Careerist – http://www.brazencareerist.com/2010/03/26/my-libr… began with the sentence, "This is an excellent guest post by Mike Danielczyk. " It now begins, "This is an opinion-based guest post by Mike Danielczyk."
The content of the article has not changed, but is somehow no longer "excellent". Kristin, do you make a habit of changing your blog posts without noting that they've changed? Did you change it because Mike asked you to?
Karl, yes Mike was fine with that because it truly was an opinion-based post to start with. Thanks for keeping on top of the content of this post!- Kristin