Having an Innovative and Reenvisioning Mindset
Jeremy Shermak made a compelling point in his wonderful presentation in class back on November 9. The changing nature of digital technologies has transformed society immensely so that the usual journalism methods no longer function. To survive, journalism would have to change itself to fit with the altered technological landscape.
His discussion about how the New York Times is reenvisioning its purpose provided a great example of how to adapt to and thrive in a new environment. Instead of being a newspaper with digital content, they are now a digital media producer that also has a newspaper. And there is some amazing content they’ve produced, like the dialect quiz, the interactive news stories that allow users to explore detailed graphics, and the VR tool.
Given how these same changes are affecting what have been regarded as the traditional functions of libraries, this idea of reenvisioning their purpose makes sense for libraries, too. In fact, we could say libraries now would not be places of books that espouse information, but information centers that just happen to have books as one of many types of resources to get information. We can see how libraries are embracing this transformation by providing resources like makerspaces and 3D printers, and the literacy skills that go along with using these tools, not to mention all the amazing programming opportunities technology provides. I know the Oak Park Public Library, where I work and in the community where I live, now provides portable DVD players so people can watch movies, in addition to providing laptops for check-out, and the usual desktop computers.
Then there’s the Internet, which is so tightly woven into present-day society. It’s now essential that libraries, as information centers, provide access to it, which is especially true because of the gap that exists because so many services and tools are online, but there’s still a significant portion of the population that doesn’t have Internet access at home.
The post “How Public Libraries Can Support Broadband Adoption” on CitiesSpeak, the official blog of the National League of Cities, even suggests that libraries can build partnerships with their local communities in providing broadband access and enhancing digital literacy skills. “Libraries are searching for and experimenting with innovative digital divide solutions that include increasing home broadband access.” It’s not only about having Internet access available in the library, but helping address the root causes of the digital divide, namely, why people don’t have Internet access. Libraries can demonstrate how important they are in their community by being at the forefront of the efforts to bring the benefits of the technology to all people, so that they maintain relevancy and show themselves to be an advocate for social improvement.
With technological innovations comes reenvisioning of the library spaces to accommodate the technology and people’s ability to use it. One library I heard about has done away with books entirely, and has reading stations set up each with an electronic reader device on which people read books instead. And libraries are redoing their spaces not just for technology, but also in creating both individual and group study spaces and social gatherings. I know many libraries have cleared away print material shelving to make room for more space for people to use. In this way, libraries can demonstrate they are institutions that bring people together, through programming and technology. Even though the means change, the ends persist.
Bates, K., and Siefer, A. (2015, November 3.) How Public Libraries Can Support Broadband Adoption [Web log post]. “CitiesSpeak.” Retrieved from http://citiesspeak.org/2015/11/03/how-public-libraries-can-support-broadband-adoption/
