When the discussion topic the impact of the Internet on libraries came up I was delighted to look through my notes from the CLA Conference last weekend. In the panel, Generation Z: preparing your library for the next generation, Univ. of Tenn. library IT pro, Jason Griffey, and library designer and visionary, Joan Fry-Williams, had much to say about the influence of the Internet on libraries.

Griffey pointed out that the next generation will value access not ownership of information and they are all about content consumption. When quantifying usage in the University of Tennessee library, he found that 42% of all the Internet traffic is in streaming video. These kids are not collecting the movies, they're just watching them. This exemplifies the point: It's the access to the content that they value, not ownership. Because "information" is something they can get for free, and they don't understand the value of content credibility or the expertise of the librarian skills.

Joan Fry-Williams pointed out that "libraries invented the access not ownership business" so we should make ourselves meaningful by enhancing the library experience by making the library a welcoming place aimed toward the local interests. Our patron's personal devices used to access the Internet are not used to exclude their friends and environment: just the opposite. Our present (and future) patrons use the Internet to enhance and augment their environment, not to reject it. "If you want to create an inviting library environment for your patrons, you must welcome their devices". Providing an abundance of electrical drops and free wifi Internet access are what our patrons want and library designers would do well to keep that in mind.

In summation: library patrons will value access over ownership and the libraries of the future will provide content not container. The next generation of taxpayer will be going to library databases for reliable, easy to access information when it is easy to use. They will be comfortable attending online classes because it will fit into their "accessing content online" mindset. Librarians will again be information specialists- just with different media. The physical library building will remain and will achieve relevance through unique community services and identity.

Another Use for Libraries

If e-books make a library obsolete, collection diversification may be the answer. 

UConn will test a bicycle sharing program on campus which allows students and employees with current school ID to borrow one of 20 bikes at the Homer Babbidge Library for use on campus.  The student government purchased the bikes and will purchase more if the program is successful.  Apparently, Yale, Emory, and the University of Chicago have similar programs in place. 

Electronic Textbooks - A Followup

On the heels of my earlier post concerning electronic textbooks comes another from the Chronicle of Higher Education about some colleges considering forcing students to switch to e-textbooks as a cost containment measure.  The full link can be found below.

The plan would be to charge students a course-materials fee which would be used to bulk purchase e-books resulting in a lower cost per item than if purchased individually.  Saving trees and transportation costs is always a good thing, I guess, but what about all those work study students that depended on the bookstore job for spending money?   Taken one step further, what does this portend for the library as institution?

http://chronicle.com/article/The-End-of-the-Textbook-as-We/125044/