Public libraries are constantly looking for ways to improve and upgrade their environment to attract patrons locally or those who live out of the area. Following Laura Cole in the TED video (2016), there are four points that I would like to explore: the accessibility of the library, the perception of changing from a static to a fluid and dynamic library, the role of librarians from preserver to cultivator, and not just being a custodian of books but instead having the active role of a navigator.
The accessibility of libraries largely depends on the geographic location and the general population mix. For example, if the general population is older and mainly retirees, then the environment should incorporate multipurpose spaces with a balance of physical and digital resources. This is to ensure that the library can cater for all patrons (Shoham & Klain-Gabbay, 2019). However, there are budget constraints, and the allocation of funding requires careful consideration.
I have seen a pop-up library in many suburbs. This is the initiative of the local council to attract patrons from the local community, and it is one of the perceptions of changing from static to fluid and dynamic libraries. There are also other ideas that, in the digital space, a fluid library encourages memory efficiency with shared libraries in RAM instead of a single storage point (Audunson et al., 2019).
The last two points are the perceived role of librarians within the 21st century, from a preserver to a cultivator, and from a custodian of books to the active role of a navigator. There are many roles that librarians are required to play as experts; however, the perception of librarians is required to change in order to embrace the ever-changing platform and environments (Chigwada, 2021).
I believe librarians are mediators of information. Therefore, the need to improve and update knowledge with the current trends of technology is inevitable.
References:
Audunson, R., Aabø, S., Blomgren, R., Evjen, S., Jochumsen, H., Larsen, H., … & Koizumi, M. (2019). Public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere: A comprehensive review of research. Journal of Documentation, 75(4), 773-790 https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-10-2018-0157
Chigwada, J. P. (2021). Librarian skillsets in the 21st century: The changing role of librarians in the digital era. In Research Anthology on Collaboration, Digital Services, and Resource Management for the Sustainability of Libraries (pp. 60-73). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-8051-6.ch004
Cole, L. (2016). BiblioTech as the re-imagined public library: Where will it find you? [Video file]. YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnYDl66YfQ0
Shoham, S., & Klain-Gabbay, L. (2019). The academic library: Structure, space, physical and virtual use. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 45(5), 102053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2019.102053
Shutterstock. (n.d.). Bibliothéque royalty-free images [Stock image]. https://www.shutterstock.com/search/biblioth%C3%A9que
I agree with your perspective on the shift towards fluid and dynamic libraries and the evolving role of librarians. In addition to Library 2.0, librarians are now taking on multiple roles as experts, adapting to the changing landscape of information in Library 4.0. While it may be challenging, I firmly believe that librarians still hold immense value in this information age.
I love this sentence ‘…from a preserver to a cultivator, and from a custodian of books to the active role of a navigator’. Librarians will continue to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of their users – I wonder what they will be saying about librarians in 20, 50 or even in 100 years? Will the title librarian still exist? I believe regardless of the title, librarians will remain present in society and they will adapt to provide equal to information to all who seek and even to those who don’t know they seek it.
I agree Chloe, libraries are not just about books. I feel that a library must grow and change to suit the needs of the community it serves. In this way it is meeting the purpose for which it was built. I also think that social networks can help a library to reach more of its constituents. You mention the elderly and lets not forget our disabled library members, imagine how great it would be for them if they could log onto a social media network eg: Instagram and see the library resources.