Ability of library to shape your thoughts personality, vision, mission and goals need not be doubted.
A library is a collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both. A library's collection can include books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audiobooks, databases, and other formats. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to several million items.
Sidney Sheldon ( (1917-2007) American writer and producer) perfectly describes: “Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life.”
Laura Bush (Librarian and wife of George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States )in her famous quote said: “I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.” Visit your library, get your library card, and you’ll be able to borrow a print or electronic book, use free internet, or attend a course that will improve your digital skills.
To quote Albert Einstein (1879-1955. Theoretical Physicist and Nobel Laureate) would not be out of place: “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." J.K. Rowling ( British novelist, screenwriter, and producer, best known for writing the Harry Potter fantasy series) says” When in doubt go to the library."
Libraries are essential in a process of giving citizens access to knowledge. In digital times they are needed more than ever before. In times of the internet, everyone can visit a library without leaving home. It’s just a matter of opening a library website, and you can not only borrow an ebook but also ask the librarian an online question. Most importantly, however, libraries are the places where you can expect smart and clear answers to even the most difficult questions. Libraries always supplements knowledge and never is in competition with anyone.
The increasing role of technology in libraries has a significant impact on the changing roles of librarians. A 21st-century librarian is required to be very much updated with technological changes. New age librarians are making greater use of emerging technologies in the library management and services to make it more popular and useful among the patrons. According to Neil Gaiman ( English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre, and films) “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one.”
We have to understand that new age librarians are not mere bookworms, they are high-tech information professionals, and clever communicators, helping patrons dive in the oceans of information available in books and digital records. Librarians are teachers, problem solvers, innovators, collaborators, leaders, and learners.
Libraries help to align your life with core values ; It is a platform for knowledge acquisition, sharpening of mind and whetting of skills.
Do we not get an opportunity for interactions with authors who have shared their experience Experiences that crystalised through communications with others when the readers open the pages seriously or otherwise
Times have changed ; the good old institutional set ups have given way to digitalised environment embarking an era borderless education where knowledge delivery happens to occur through virtual platforms
Good old days of library becoming the home for students, researchers, practitioner, professionals, housewives, young and old, and for all habituated to becoming library members irrespective of cast, creed, sex, status and race are getting tended to become a story of the past!!
Knowledge search is symbolised by Library which is a treasure house of wisdom that gets delivered to the reader once he steps in the library
The internet has already had a major impact on how people find and access information, and now the rising popularity of e-books is helping transform reading habits. In this changing landscape, public libraries are trying to adjust their services to these new realities while still serving the needs of patrons who rely on more traditional resources. In a new survey of Americans’ attitudes and expectations for public libraries, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project finds that many library patrons are eager to see libraries’ digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age.
The availability of free computers and internet access now rivals book lending and reference expertise as a vital service of libraries.
Technology has changed the way we consume media; Libraries have always been at the heart of the communities they serve. They are accessible and safe spaces, providing access to huge resources of information and knowledge. There are an estimated 315,000 public libraries in the world, 73 per cent of them in developing and transitioning countries. The public library transcends national and cultural boundaries -- no matter where you are in the world, they are an essential part of creating and maintaining an educated and literate population.
But today, public libraries are at a turning point. The way we access and consume information has changed dramatically in the 21st century, and this presents major challenges and opportunities for public library systems across the world.
The advent of new technologies has changed some of our reading habits. But our need for shared, community-centred spaces to find information and connect with others is unlikely to change any time soon. To survive in the digital age and stay relevant, public libraries need to be brave and innovative. They must embrace both the physical and virtual world.
"Even though information dissemination is not restricted due to the internet, the challenge is that there is an overload of information and its authenticity can not be guaranteed. So, library will be needed by students, academician and researchers alike to receive quality information” says Elavazhagan K, librarian and chief knowledge officer, M-Trichy, (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/67537397.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst)
Libraries are required to keep pace with changing times so that they do not be branded as obsolete
Preserving the books , providing information, and space for reading has been the very purpose of library for ages. Internet has changed the way we conduct and look at ourselves including everything satisfying our needs and wants
Libraries being not an exception to evade and avoid changes are in the process of transformation to keep them abreast of changes ; changes always create opportunities. Libraries have to tread a path combining both tradition and modern (digitalised) outlook
Libraries need to exist; libraries would continue to exist; libraires are the custodians of the knowledge seekers’ vision, dreams and missions because they are not bound by restrictions and limitations, as anybody with a knowledge to read can visit a library ; in other words they spread literacy by becoming the guardians and ambassadors of knowledge and learning
Reading the printed word in the pages of a book is satisfying in some magical way, as no other form of communication can match the wisdom delivered by the Library , which is in addition to what we get relating to education, research, resources, cross referencing, reading for pleasure, community focal point, sanctuary from noise, sharing, discovery and so on and so forth. Libraries could also be used for workshop and training
Libraries can evolve themselves to be community centres to uplift the vulnerable in the society or a discussion platform for learners and policy makers. Libraries can become centres of growth agents!
Dr. Sreedharan Menon
Professor,
DR V N BRIMS, Thane
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