The Future of Libraries
by Joseph Lake
Joseph is a Wonder Researcher and expert in business, mathematics, and history with a passion for cooking, science, and literature. @Joe_C_Lake
Libraries; we’ve all seen them. These large buildings filled with printed e-books seem like relics of a bygone era. What possible role could a tomb for tomes have in an age where we can carry and access pretty much everything? Well, in the future, that role will be as an all access, state of the art, media and technology laboratory; with your own personal engineers!
This shift in paradigm may come as a surprise, but let’s break down exactly what a library is; and how that will change. A classic library consists of four things; the building, the books, the librarian, and the patron.
The Building: A trend has already begun with libraries that will continue until humans live in pods refusing to leave their homes. That trend is integrating technology into learning. For decades we have had computers, but recently libraries have acquired 3D printers, vinyl printers, cameras, microphones, and tables that are actually giant tablets (Caution: librarians will become angry if you set your drink on them). Some are also developing craft rooms with sewing machines and art supplies, so you can head over, finish your quilt, and maybe get a watercolor masterpiece done if you have the time. Local businesses, groups, and clubs are also noticing that the great technology, combined with large, empty rooms, makes a great place to hold meetings. So the building of the future will be re-purposed as a craft, media and conference center; all available to the public!
The Librarian: Already we are seeing drifts in a librarian role. Librarians were there to help get the ball rolling on research and show you how to use the equipment, and their expertise in these areas will continue to expand. Joseph Aldrich, of the Librarian Journal, predicts that by 2020 librarians will be incredibly specialized with new roles like engineers working with the equipment, and PR reps coordinating with the public to get people to understand what the "New Library" is all about; and maybe get a few donations too, this need probably won’t be going away soon.
The Books: Gone from view! No longer will we decipher the cryptic, Dewey Decimal System. In fact, except in the case of specialized libraries like medical, you probably won't even see books. Several libraries are integrating robotic retrieval systems that would use robots to retrieve requested materials from underground bins. The whole system takes about five to ten minutes, and is seriously reducing needed storage space. However, we will still use books for many years to come, since digitizing that many pages is impractical... for now. The Patron: You may have once used the pre-internet library to finish that report on caterpillars as a student, but now you will go to 3D print a new sculpture, check out camera equipment to document your next camping trip in high-quality, or to make a living as a Library Engineer. I can certainly say that, for Libraries, the future is indeed bright!
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Reference links:
Slate: The Future of The Library : How They Will Evolve For The Digital Age
Library Journal: The Librarian in 2020, Reinventing Libraries
NCSU Libraries Book Bot










