In his thought-provoking article, The Future of the Library, Seth Godin* describes the history and value of libraries over the centuries, and their future. A few highlights:
§ Before Gutenberg, a book cost about as much as a small house … only kings and bishops could afford to own a book of their own. This naturally led to the creation of shared books, of libraries where scholars (everyone else was too busy not starving) could come to read books that they didn't have to own. The library was a warehouse for books worth sharing.
§ Post-Gutenberg, books are finally abundant, hardly scarce, hardly expensive, hardly worth warehousing. Post-Gutenberg, the scarce resource is knowledge and insight, not access to data.
§ Just in time for [today’s] information economy, the library ought to be the local nerve center for information … There are one thousand things that could be done in a place like this, all built around one mission: take the world of data, combine it with the people in this community and create value.
If you still think libraries are obsolete today, consider these points:
§ Not everything is available on the internet; not everyone has Internet access
§ The internet complements libraries, but it doesn't replace them
§ Libraries and Librarians improve student test scores
§ Libraries can be surprisingly helpful for news collections and archives
§ Radio endures despite TV, film is in-demand despite video, telephones are increasingly popular despite email, and those who like paper books will continue to read paper books – despite publishers releasing so many e-books
§ Libraries are “less like warehouses and more like intellectual crossroads for working, learning, teaching, and new types of programs" [Source: U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, 2006 Symposium]
You may ask, “What has the Great Neck Library done for me and our community lately?” Ponder these 2010 statistics:
§ You gained access to 30,000 new books, 3,000 new DVDs, 1,400 new CDs, and 1,207 new downloadable ebooks
§ You accessed 770 new audio books via over 2,600 downloads
§ Adults and children borrowed 379,136 books, plus 190,846 non-book items
§ 117 individuals attended one-on-one computer lessons and more took part in group computer lessons
§ 5,657 children used library computers, and teens wrote 73 online book reviews
§ GNL presented 169 special family programs for 7,295 attendees of all ages
§ 6,080 children (babies to second graders) attended 398 story times; 3,300 children in grades K-6 made 31 class visits to the Library; 1,073 children attended summer and winter reading
§ Our Levels teen group produced a made-for-TV teen discussion show, two musicals and a drama, and wrote and recorded original music; 9,949 teens
§ attended 881 program sessions
§ More teens than ever before took Levels’ free SAT Prep course
§ Over 8,000 adults enjoyed 326 cultural programs, including weekly matinees of recent and classic films, world-class performances chosen by our volunteer Music Advisory Committee, and monthly Bayview Book Club run by our librarians
On October 25, Great Neck Library patrons will vote on a $20.8 million bond. Its goal is to enable us to return our aging library to the levels of efficiency, comfort, safety and beauty that will support Godin’s vision for our community library. Based on current predictions, assessed home value and actual bond interest rate, this project will take anywhere from an extra $32 - $200 a year from your wallet. It’s for you to decide if the Library renovation is a good value for you and your family.
Polls are open 7 AM – 10 PM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. If you live south of the LIRR, vote at Great Neck South High School, 341 Lakeville Road. If you live north of the LIRR, vote at Baker Elementary School, 69 Baker Hill Road. These may not be your usual polling places.
If you want to vote on October 25th but are unable to vote in person due to disability, vacation or work constraints, you can submit an absentee ballot. To obtain a ballot application, visit any Great Neck Library location, or call the Library (466-8055) or School District (441-4000). If you prefer to download an application, visit the School District website at http://greatneck.k12.ny.us (click Budget, then click Absentee Ballot).
If you have questions about the referendum or the future of the Library, please contact me at 466-8055 ext.200 or email at jbmarino@greatnecklibrary.org.
[* Seth Godin is the author of 11 books. Free Prize Inside was a Forbes Business Book of the Year in 2004, in its first two years of release. Purple Cow sold over 150,000 copies in more than 23 printings. The Dip was a Business Week and New York Times bestseller. ]
I really don't know much about the trends in Library usage, but it's certain that they will always have a place, even if that place is diminished.
ReplyDeleteI for one, can't stand reading on electronic devices, give me a book any day. It would take the resources of a King to replace a library even today.