The mass production of the book could be considered one of the most life altering technical advances in modern history. The library became the way for the public to experience this advancement, and many of us can still remember what it's like to search through a card catalog or the long wait to use the internet on the limited number of library computers. While both of those things still exist in many libraries, public needs are changing. Most people can use the internet on their phone rather than wait in line. Why use the card catalog when most libraries have search engines that can show you what you need in seconds? You don't even have to drag home a heavy backpack full of books, you can simply download straight to your tablet from the library's website instead. Now imagine if you could log into your library's cloud network by tapping an app on your phone, or if your library had a federated search engine that could search multiple databases at once in seconds, or if you could test out the newest e-readers when you decide to stop in for a visit. That is the direction that libraries are trying to venture into, which is often referred to as Library 3.0. Even though the printed book still has it’s place, there is a growing public need for equitable access to current digital technologies. From early on in education to the modern workforce, “digital literacy” is becoming increasingly important. Library 3.0 is the answer to this growing public need because it emphasizes easily accessible information, up-to-date digital technology, and tech-friendly community spaces online and in person. While preserving books and other media may remain an important part of libraries’ functions, libraries will need to adapt the Library 3.0 model to continue to be a relevant public service.
Click for larger version
|
When libraries became more widespread in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the Dewey Decimal system was created to help manage the ever growing collections of books. (Howard, 2009). Eventually, computers were introduced to help manage collections, and then computers and internet access became available for public use. This evolution is often referred to as Library 2.0, which was modeled after the more well known concept of Web 2.0. (Stevens, 2007). Libraries have been increasing their access to digital technology whenever they can to meet community demands. According to the American Library Association, in 2014 97.5% of libraries in the United States offered public WiFi, 98% offered technology training, and 89.5% offered access to e-books that can be accessed by a computer, tablet, or e-reader. (KROSA, 2014) Libraries also began to use social tools like blogs, podcasts, RSS feeds, and even intra-library Wikis to encourage sharing, conversation, and collaboration in their user communities. As communities need and crave access to more advanced technology, whether it’s because they require it for school, work, or pleasure, libraries need to continue to evolve. Library 3.0 (which like Library 2.0) is modeled after the concept of Web 3.0. Web 3.0 refers to technologies like the semantic web, cloud computing, and mobile devices. It also refers to to tools like search engines to facilitate the development, organization and sharing of user-generated web content. The goal of these technologies is to create a streamlined collaboration between all users. This is also the goal of Library 3.0 or the “borderless library”, where all of the materials are available to community members either in the library or from the comfort of their own homes. It’s also to make library collections more accessible and to make searching easier. (Angadi, 2015). The concept of the “borderless library” is what more and more people will need if they are going to use library services. There is a growing expectation that information gathering should be instant and seamless. Community members can’t be expected to go to the library every day, which means if libraries want patrons to engage with them on a day-to-day basis, they need to be able to search, access, and research from their mobile devices, personal computers, and e-readers.
|
Though libraries are moving toward making their materials more accessible outside of their physical walls, this doesn’t mean that any of them are hoping to bulldoze their buildings anytime soon. In fact, 80% of Americans say that borrowing books is a very important service that libraries provide. (Zickuhr, 2013). While e-readers and digital services are in public demand, that doesn’t mean that communities want to physically disengage from their libraries on the whole. For example, while 53% of Americans 16 and older think that libraries should “definitely” offer more e-books, 59% say that libraries should “definitely” have more spaces for reading, working, and relaxing. (Zickuhr, 2013) For the libraries moving toward the “Library 3.0” model, it’s not about getting rid of books or the other media that the public has come to expect from their library, it’s about creating spaces for collaboration and community along with relevant digital technology as well as offering the “borderless” resources to the community. For example, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Washington D.C. now has a Digital Commons which offers a variety of different digital services to library patrons. Along with being able to try out different e-readers, the Digital Commons also features a 3-D printer, on-demand book binding machine, 80 desktops with a variety of programs, a Skype station, a co-working space called the “Dream Lab”, and also rows of tables that community members can use for their own reading and devices. Just as importantly, librarians are also available to offer one-on-one assistance to patrons wanting to learn and use these technologies. All of these technologies were adopted to meet the growing needs of the community in Washington D.C. (Peterson, 2016). While “borderless” library services may be necessary to engage communities daily, an interactive and collaborative spaces are still important as we move toward the Library 3.0 era. Physical access to digital technology and expert advice from library staff will still be essential as technology gets more advanced, especially when more people will need to use them fluently in their daily life.
The 3D printer, touchscreen computer, and Digital Bar that are all part of Martin Luther King Jr. Library's Digital Commons
Though the numbers have probably changed since this study, it's important to note that the difference in technology access between urban and rural libraries can be alarming. From the ALA's Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, 2011-2012
|
It’s inspiring to think about how this model could engage every community, but unfortunately some libraries will still be up against the same barriers they always have been when it comes to integrating technology. Libraries in rural and low income areas are already struggling to get adequate services to their communities. For example, due to infrastructure challenges in rural areas, internet access is limited. In 2010, only 50% of home in rural areas had internet access compared to over 70% of suburban homes. While nearly all of the libraries in rural areas offer internet services, including free public WiFi, many of these small rural locations only have 1 full time librarian who also acts as the IT expert, and they still need to perform their standard librarian duties on top of that. (Real, 2014). As digital literacy and the increased need for digital services becomes essential to community members, these smaller libraries will face challenges of having the resources available to make a Library 3.0 model possible. It is important for communities to advocate for their library services with their local and state governments, and to collaborate to find alternative resources to keep their libraries up to date. This might be finding ways to raise money for a new 3D printer, or finding volunteers to help with IT issues or to teach classes. Community members may have to play a bigger role in getting these underfunded libraries into the Library 3.0 era.
|
Even for libraries that have the resources, meeting the growing needs of the community can be tough. In some of these instances, the librarians are stepping up to make their library services more digitally inclusive, even if it means seeking out more education/training for themselves in the process. At Denver Public Library, they have taught classes on computer basics for more than a decade, but they were getting more and more requests to teach an increasingly in-demand skill: coding. The issue was that none of the librarians really felt like they had the skills or structured training to teach a class, so librarian Cody Yantis decided to take it into his own hands. Yantis said, “We ended up doing an eight-week [course in which] we met once a week and worked through an online resource together. So I learned as well. I would just work ahead and come up with some exercises, but then we would also just tackle stuff together. And it worked out really well.” Now the Denver Public Library plans on offering a similar course, which is very important to the community as these classes can be very costly when taken through a for-profit “boot camp”. (Enis, 2016). In another example, Orange County Library System in Orlando was getting increasing requests to computer basics, Excel, HTML, and even Photoshop in Spanish and Creole. To meet the demand while also reaching out to community members who had a hard time traveling to the library, the librarians created online courses in each language to offer alongside their in person classes at the library. (Enis, 2016)
|
Bibliotech is the first all-digital bookless library in the United States. The community has found that there are both pros and cons to having completely paperless resources.
New York Public Library sees the value in keeping their 50 year old phone hotline, and using digital technology is just one of the ways they are able to answer the nearly 30,000 inquires they get per year.
|
Library 3.0 is the next necessary progression in library evolution. Community needs are becoming more complex, and there is no less demand for library services. The only way for libraries to continue to meet the needs of their communities is if they offer more and more advanced digital technology services and trainings, as well as equitable access to all of the library's services. Libraries also need to provide community spaces for education, entertainment, and relaxation. Books and other artifacts are still a very important part of what a library offers, but what’s most important is that libraries continue to rise up to what the community needs and to face the challenges that come with providing those needs head on. It will be exciting to see what innovative ideas that librarians and other community members will come up with to make the Library 3.0 model happen in communties all over the world.
References
Angadi, Mallikarjun, J. Shivarama, and Nirupama Warrier. 2015. "Role of Library and Information Professionals in Web 3.0 Era."
Enis, Matt. 2016. “How To Talk Code | Digital Literacy.” Library Journal. Accessed October 24.
Howard, Nicole. 2009. The Book: The Life Story Of A Technology. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
KROSA. 2014. “Public Libraries Lead the Way to Digital Inclusion.” Text. Offices of the American Library Association. July 23.
Peterson, Andrea. 2016. “The Digital Age Is Forcing Libraries to Change. Here’s What That Looks Like.” Washington Post. Accessed November 11.
Real, Brian, John Bertot, and Paul Jaeger. 2014. “Rural Public Libraries and Digital Inclusion: Issues and Challenges.” Information Technology and Libraries (Online) 33, no. 1: 6-24
Stephens, Michael, and Maria Collins. 2007. “Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and the hyperlinked library.” Serials Review 33, no. 4: 253-256.
Zickuhr, Kathryn, Lee Rainie, and Kristen Purcell. 2013. “Library Services in the Digital Age.” Pew Internet Libraries. January 22.
Angadi, Mallikarjun, J. Shivarama, and Nirupama Warrier. 2015. "Role of Library and Information Professionals in Web 3.0 Era."
Enis, Matt. 2016. “How To Talk Code | Digital Literacy.” Library Journal. Accessed October 24.
Howard, Nicole. 2009. The Book: The Life Story Of A Technology. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
KROSA. 2014. “Public Libraries Lead the Way to Digital Inclusion.” Text. Offices of the American Library Association. July 23.
Peterson, Andrea. 2016. “The Digital Age Is Forcing Libraries to Change. Here’s What That Looks Like.” Washington Post. Accessed November 11.
Real, Brian, John Bertot, and Paul Jaeger. 2014. “Rural Public Libraries and Digital Inclusion: Issues and Challenges.” Information Technology and Libraries (Online) 33, no. 1: 6-24
Stephens, Michael, and Maria Collins. 2007. “Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and the hyperlinked library.” Serials Review 33, no. 4: 253-256.
Zickuhr, Kathryn, Lee Rainie, and Kristen Purcell. 2013. “Library Services in the Digital Age.” Pew Internet Libraries. January 22.