The Future of Libraries

There is an axiom that goes, "Without change, there is no future." This is seen in nature. When a plant or animal is unable or unwilling tro change, adapt or evolve according to the changing environment, it will in all likelihood become extinct. This axiom is very evident in business and industry. When a company does not make the necessary change due to demands of the customers in the changing environment of business protocol, that company will cease to be in operation. On the other hand, if companies seek out new ways to change and adapt along with its customer base ahead of other companies, the chances of growth is greater.

I will not say that there is no future fore libraries, even the local library. There will always be persons who will want their community to have access to books and reading material, both current and new as well as the classics of the past. People will always want a place to go to relax, read, learn and stay ahead of current issues.

The change that has been presented in the "23 Things" is one of perspective or focus. The library is moving from static to active. No longer is a library a "house" for books, but it is a place to discover knowledge and answers. Long time patrons already understand this. The future of the library is that through modern technology, a small town library can provide the same information as the "cutting edge" academic and research libraries have. Today computers allow individual access to those great institutions as well as other providers of information.

23 things - learning

The video about lifelong learning was educational and helpful. In life, ideally we are always learning, whether we are aware of it or not. Learning is a part of growing/maturing. We learn from each new experience we have, each person we meet, each phase of life we go through. It is important to seek to learn throughout our life so that we may maintain a healthy mind and attitude and reach our full potential as human beings.