Library Future?

 image from http://thecontentwrangler.com/2013/09/06/infographic-the-future-of-libraries/

The article proposes many great questions, but above all: What is the articulation for why libraries must be a part of future society—in the nation's communities—as opposed to just a nice local resource to have?

The director of the Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP), recognizes the need for a strong library programming and policy in place and the conflicts surrounding the profession in an age of massive technology growth. The landscape is ever changing and the future is unknown, according to Inouye.

Inouye's article looks at four factors affecting policy and strategies of librarians and libraries. Within the first two areas the main concern focuses around technology versus print. Librarians traditionally are the final decision makers in acquisition, access, and use of the materials. However, with e-book lending and other online subscriptions librarians are held to contracts which diminish the control over who has access, how long they have access to the material, and what is provided in the library. Inouye recommends that "librarians need to develop and hone their skills in understanding, assessing, and negotiating contracts and that greater leverage with vendors [occurs] if they pool or coordinate their purchases."

Additionally, an initiative proposed by President Obama in June 2013 called "ConnectHD is to ensure that libraries and schools have access to robust, affordable high-capacity broadband for many years." However, just because there is access to internet connection does not mean that the user understands how to access information, synthesis information, or analyze the information. The argument in the article links the user as someone who struggles with technology or is preoccupied with tweets. Thereby, "as librarians we have a responsibility to promote more substantive engagement, such as understanding and synthesizing information across multiple sources and services."

Further complicating the technology components of acquisition and technology use, there are the stakeholders to consider. "For school libraries, there are principals, district superintendents, PTA leaders, school boards, and so on...the library community needs to shift its strategic orientation towards the diverse set of stakeholders beyond libraries. Thus a major new initiative within OITP is to undertake a systematic assessment of how we do public policy and advocacy at the national level. Based on this work, we will be able to identify and engage promising directions and new partners to improve the strategic position of libraries."

"Never more has society needed people to help organize, categorize, and prioritize information, whether directly or in developing policies, procedures, and systems to help people do it for themselves." Overall, this is the most important line in answering the super question posited above based on the three factors: acquisition and collection development, technology use, and stakeholders investment.


Kowalczyk, P. (2017). Libraries matter: 18 fantastic library infographics. Retrieved from https://ebookfriendly.com/libraries-matter-library-infographics/

(n.d.). Infographic: The future of libraries. Retrieved from http://www.infographicsarchive.com/interesting-facts/infographic-the-future-of-libraries/

Inouye, A. S. (2013). The Future of Libraries at Thirty Thousand Feet: Strategy and Public Policy. Young Adult Library Services, 12(1), 9-12.