The More Things Change…
April 2nd, 2006A loved the following quote from the director of the DeMoines Public Library, on the eve of their re-opening:
“The public library adapts to the community’s search for information and its need for recreational reading and development of activities. It is NEVER a static place. The collection, whose mainstay remains the book, spans the generations of learning and discovery. A work’s view of the times in which it was created provides the transition of our culture and history.”
“Other materials come and go as humans develop new delivery methods. In the world of music, the years have seen the 78-, 33- and 45-rpm records give way to the 8-track tape, the compact disc and the iPod. Black and white was replaced with color as film moved from 16mm and 8mm to Beta video, VHS video and now DVD. Reference is now offered not only through books but also in purchased databases that patrons can access online, in-house or virtually through their computers. With wireless technology, computer use can happen anywhere in the library.”
This reminds me of the premise that there is room for change as well as having many aspects of the library remaining the same. Books and quality reference service will always be a mainstay, while new technologies will allow us to connect with our users in more unique and fun ways. There’s always room for both: The ways we have always done it and the new ways which we will do it. Boy, that hits home for me. 