The Future Of Public Libraries

The importance of public libraries as bastions of knowledge housed in convenient, accessible locations, is waning. With the instant access to the largest database to ever exist, there is less reason to travel to a separate physical location. The question is, how will libraries adapt to the changing technology as E-readers rise and printed books fall. Our society demands instant gratification with entertainment; the same is true for information. In order to stay relevant, libraries must offer tools that are not readily available to the consumer.

Many believe that similar to libraries, printed books are becoming obsolete. E-reader tablets, while convenient, do not enable the user to display their collection of written works, share books virtually, and the cost of tablets can always increase with newer models. Some libraries have already begun addressing the current digital demand by offering check-outs for library books on e-readers. Apple's iPad and Google's Android Tablet would have the capability to check out e-books from local libraries. Sony's Reader has already partnered up with Barnes & Noble's Nook to provide this feature.

Libraries cannot be counted out yet. While technology evolves, so must the rest of the world.

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