Is the “Library of the Future” One without Books?

On a recent trip, I visited one of the newest libraries in the area. I had heard others speak highly of this library, and had the general impression that it was comparatively large and equipped with all the latest technology and other cool features that could draw people in. To my surprise, then, I found myself in a largeish building that looked more like a conference center than a library. And, even though the summer reading program was in full swing, there seemed to be only three other people in the building–not counting the lone family who had shown up to what seemed to be a very high-energy children’s program. Most concerningly, the collection seemed rather small for the space.

I had many conflicting thoughts about this visit, but my prevailing emotions were disappointment tinged with a bit of dismay. When people had excitedly talked about this new library, I had envisioned something quite different. A modern building that would, of course, take into account the changing needs of the community and the changing role of the public library–an organization that often serves more as computer lab/community center/rec center/social services than it does as the time-honored repository of information. But also a building that would have what is arguably still the cornerstone of the public library, the one thing that other organizations do not tend to replicate in their own offerings–books.

Because the building itself seems comparatively large to other libraries, I think that community members might be under the impression that there really are a lot of books in this library. I would be interested to know, however, if there are actually more books than are housed in other libraries in the area. About a quarter of the building seemed dedicated to large meeting rooms, along with a conference center-style hallway and information booth (all empty). Then there were the two empty computer labs, the empty MakerSpace, and probably four different sitting areas designed to look cozy or modern, depending on one’s preference. The aisles were large and spacious. The books were…there. In the middle. On shorter than standard-sized shelves. I truly believe that if one were to count all the books, there would not be more than one would find in a tiny one-room neighborhood branch. Most of the space was empty, to give that modern-architecture feel.

Of course, many people–especially librarians–have a lot of thoughts about the role of libraries. Many people–even librarians–have argued that books no longer matter, and that books are not what people want. A lot of people would prefer to see libraries turn into social services centers, where people are provided with food, shelter, showers, and medicine. Books do not seem to be in vogue, do not seem to be trendy enough to get libraries the funding they so desperately need. And, so, libraries have become innovative at expanding beyond offering accessibility to knowledge and information and instead offering everything. If the library thinks a thing will get people in the door, they will do it.

I am one of those old-fashioned curmudgeons, however, who still believes that books matter and that equal access to knowledge and information is something to be celebrated. Meeting rooms for the public are nice, as are physical education classes, concerts, art classes, notaries, and passports. However, a lot of these services are offered by other organizations in the community. And, honestly, if I am thinking about taking a yoga class or attending a concert or getting something notarized, I usually think of other places first–the local parks and rec programs, concert halls, or just a plain old notary. I don’t check the library website first when I want live music or a painting class.

I check the library website for books, DVDs, CDs, and databases because these are specific things that I associate predominantly with the public library, and I know the library carries them and they carry them all the time. I view the programs calendar to see what is being offered, yes, but the selection tends to be random, and I just go to anything that happens to be of interest. I don’t check the library events calendar when I want something very specific like a concert because the odds of there being a concert that week or that month are low. And the odds are low because the library isn’t a concert hall, after all. If I want a wide variety of performance options–different dates, times, and genres–I need to look at an organization whose primary mission is promoting the arts. (And, yes, many organizations have these concerts free–so the library is not necessarily offering me anything I can’t find elsewhere.) That’s not to say the library is not doing something worthwhile, only that when libraries expand services, they sometimes end up replicating existing ones. And they arguably undergo a bit of an identity crisis.

Even as we celebrate all the wonderful services libraries provide, I believe that most people still associate the public library with books, magazines, DVDs, music, and databases–that is, with the library collection. A large number of people also associate the library with free computer and internet access. And a diminishing number of people probably still call the library with reference questions since librarians still market themselves as information professionals. Anything beyond that, however, is rather a bonus! The whole idea of a library, the very definition of a library, is a collection of materials. The books and other materials are the heart of the library! The collection is the thing that makes the public library different from every other local organization!

And the collection is not something that is useless or obsolete. Need to study for the SAT? Check out a book for the local school’s summer reading homework? Find information on the law? Research how to start a small business? Find credible sources for a paper? Learn how to start a new hobby? Read up on how to do a home improvement project? Try a new recipe or diet? Research a medical condition or prescription? Access free information on nearly any topic imaginable? Maybe unwind, destress, and relax with an entertaining book or movie? You can do that at the local library and you can do it with the collection. The collection still matters!

Yet, I visited this new, trendy library and I saw a building where the books seemed like an afterthought. Plenty of space was given to areas where people could meet up or hang out, and the general vibe was that the building really wanted to be a community center that kind of happened to have some books, too, if you’re into that sort of thing. And it’s worrisome! When even libraries do not believe that library collections matter, when even librarians seem to think that books just aren’t cool anymore, I believe the library as a library is in trouble. Yes, we might get an amazing new recreation center, but that is not the same thing.

So, is this where libraries are headed? Will more space be opened up for meeting rooms and computer labs, and less space given to books? Will collections shrink? I really hope not! I still love going to the library to check out books–and I don’t think I’m alone! Ideally, I would live in a world where recreation center and libraries both exist, and libraries do not disappear in favor of becoming something else.

What do you think? Should libraries shrink their book collections?