The future of libraries
In many ways libraries of centuries ago, were the internet, the place that had the knowledge. These days, are they any longer relevant when you can just use your phone or all manner of devices to get information…are they heading the way of dinosaurs?
If you tend to agree with that, you almost certainly you have access to the internet, have a device, are reasonably digitally literate, probably live in a major city and are unlikely to be indigenous or from a rural area.
But Australia's digital divide means over 2.7 million people remain 'highly excluded' from internet access with the gap between the capital cities and rural and indigenous communities significant.
As services such as banking, health, retail, education and communication become available only in digital format, there is a risk that many in some communities could be left behind and isolated.
It is the aim of most library services to provide local communities with access to basic technology (internet access, eResources, PCs, laptops, scanners and tuition). Those in employment with competent literacy levels may easily overlook those who do not have access to these basics.
Notwithstanding the importance of the role libraries play in narrowing the digital divide, learning and literacy continue to be at the core of library services. With almost 14% of Australians having what would be considered poor literacy skills, that’s a lot of people, and that has so many flow on effects as those people tend to have poorer health, lower wages and greater chance of being unemployed. That has a massive cost to our society and libraries play an important role on the front line of improving people’s literacy.
Libraries are rightfully among the most valued of all local government services. Very gradually, over time, there has been changes in membership, visitation, access through websites, collection usage, programs, staffing and a range of other areas. The following tables (1-3) are from the Australian Public Libraries Statistical Report 2021-22.
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Libraries have transformed from content depositories to inclusive learning centres for their communities with wide ranging social, economic and environmental benefits. They more than pay their way with public libraries not only making a significant contribution to community welfare, but an economic assessment for Queensland show that their benefits outweigh their provisioning costs by a factor of 2.3.
Despite the many positives of libraries, they have been under sustained budget pressure with funding in 2022, allowing for inflation, only half what it was in 2018. Sure, there are less books etc being purchased and more e-content, but operational expenses especially wages and capital investment have basically “fallen off a cliff”. An analysis of Australian Public Library Statistics comparing operating and capital expenses from 2018 with the 2022 FY. shows a decline from $2.3bn to $1.2bn in that period. (see graph 1)
Graph1
So where to from here for libraries?
Good library managers across Australia have been responding to the opportunities and challenges. They are globally aware and at the same time are ensuring their responses are incredibly local. The Future of Libraries Report has research and survey results from over 400 library leaders, and was used to inform some of the following content.
Libraries as sources of reliable content
With all the misinformation out there, libraries will be responding to the task of providing reliable content. They have key roles to play in providing information literacy training to library patrons and will support communities by emphasising the importance of finding relevant and reliable information sources and thinking critically.
Through their partnerships with teachers, they can teach media literacy to children on how to assess their sources and provide access to reliable sources at schools.
They can use simple approaches such as developing displays or posters with information about misinformation online and how to assess digital media.
Human centred spaces and services
Libraries will continue to develop into accessible, inclusive learning centres and make new use of their spaces. That is, they will increasingly have more “discretionary” space than ever as the number of physical items in their collections has almost halved in recent years in Australia, and that trend won’t be ending anytime soon. In Australia that’s down from 22,221,344 physical items in 2018 to 14,612,800 items in 2022.
When you first enter a public library, the space should feel warm and inviting. Simple approaches such as adding a little colour, rearranging the seating, creating lounge areas, and upgrading old carpets can change the feel of the spaces.
The environment of the future library will be spacious, with lots of natural light, have shelving that is easy to navigate, be free of obstacles or cluttered layout. Taking lessons from retailers, library spaces might include new displays that change weekly.
A smooth library experience for users will be assisted by knowing where to get assistance through a clearly marked help desk, materials on display and good signage.
There will be more spaces for conversation or social coffee-shop-like environments or ones that allow community members to connect. These could contain white boards, chalkboard walls, and tables for puzzles or games. Just as important will be individual contemplative spaces for students to focus on projects or as a workspace for those who can’t work from home.
Of course, they will be tech ready with wall plugs and USBs handy which are very important for patrons using mobile phones, tablets and laptops. Ergonomic chairs and standing or adjustable desks are a feature of any modern workspace and will be increasingly expected in libraries.
But it goes well beyond the physical space. It’s how libraries plan and design the day-to-day happenings within the space — the programs, the activities, giving patrons plenty of choices on how they would like to access content, or participate in an event or webinar, and even down to the friendliness of the staff.
Leaders in holistic sustainability
Libraries will emerge as leaders in holistic sustainability, and that goes well beyond just being about reducing paper use. They will be collaborating with researchers or the local Council and add climate change databases and literature to collections.
Given a hyperlocal focus has always been a core strength of libraries they are well positioned to understand that sustainability initiatives require local tactics, action and coordination. The library can be a living lab for sustainability efforts, bringing people together to share sustainable practices and learn from each other.
They also need to be focused on the long term sustainability of the library itself, and diversifying revenue streams through creative programs and service offerings. They will need to reposition themselves as important investments that produce positive returns i.e. they are revenue generating entities for the country, rather than just a cost centre.
Libraries can increase the positive impact they have on local small businesses. From hiring local artists and educators for workshops, to investing in locally sourced resources or, to the extent possible, purchasing technology from local companies.
Libraries can play important roles in helping business by providing business development data. When they do this market entry costs drop and this lowers the barrier to entry for small business owners.
Libraries as important portals to new technology and training
For most libraries, their highest budget priorities are digital content licenses and this will only continue to increase in importance. This along with optimising remote access to library content such as digital news, tools etc are keys to their future success.
Libraries have real opportunities to be the first touchpoint for patrons accessing new, often intimidating, tools. The increasing deployment of artificial intelligence assisted learning and assessment and exploring the impacts of advanced technologies on libraries and education, like blockchain and artificial intelligence may become key areas for libraries to focus.
Importantly libraries don’t need to have all the expertise in house, and partnerships with other organisations in the community can play a key role in breaking technology barriers.
Libraries can connect local entrepreneurs with the business community to help them get their websites up and help new businesses learn how to use easy website builder and ecommerce platforms, like Squarespace or GoDaddy.
Supporting first nations stories
Libraries will better understand the needs of indigenous communities when it comes to the conservation, digitisation and management of their knowledge. The engagement will be powerful in letting them make decisions, involving them in how the library can better serve them, and finding ways to share ownership of culturally important records with its community.
They will enhance the development of more culturally appropriate inclusive classification systems, or letting the community determine their own access protocols. Classification systems and the subject headings used will increasingly consider how communities describe themselves and how they want to be called. At the same time library staff will be aware of how to facilitate conversations with communities, especially when they are acting as stewards of sensitive information.
In the future it’s possible that indigenous communities will be empowered to take control of their own collections, and libraries would explore ways for them to upload their own content, learn new skills and create their own policies regarding access to their collections.
Libraries as increasingly important credible, inclusive, unbiased spaces and services
With the general declines in trust in institutions, libraries are still thought of as being very credible places and that is an important opportunity. That is, the task of providing reliable content with information that matters.
Libraries can serve to reduce the confusion arising from the explosion of social networks, by making available on demand content that can be used in a neutral manner and that allows individuals to make their own informed and calculated critical decisions.
Libraries will lead the way as inclusive and credible places of empowerment. They will be the one place where people can all come together, regardless of views, backgrounds and interests.
For libraries of the future, and right now, internet security is a challenge and that combined with the escalating importance of privacy and confidentiality, will be prevalent risks and challenges. Libraries themselves will need to make critical decisions about what to store, and for what purpose? And who actually can access this information.
Development of library staff will be critical
Library staff are awesome. One moment they are providing important preschool reading and learning, then they are helping get people on line who are entering the workforce, the next they are serving as social workers. Many times, a librarian is the first point of contact for community members experiencing homelessness or other issues. They show compassion and try to connect these individuals with traditional and online services to help them get back on their feet.
To keep pace with technological, environmental, and societal changes, libraries must continue to make important investments to upskill their own workforce. Staff need to be supported as they need to respond to the ever-changing digital information environment, whether that takes the form of supporting new software or systems, providing IT support to library users, or just remaining aware of the range of digital resources available to library users.
Importantly, and not just for the library workforce, staff need to be given time for reflection. It is only through reflection that we can step back and look at what makes us effective. Time to reflect on our practice, on our skills and on our future is time well spent.
The Australian Library and Information Association provide a range of courses that are specifically designed for the Australian library workforce. Given the cost of living pressure faced by many these courses, while valuable are also expensive e.g. Digital Trends- 3 weeks , 5 hours a week on line $325.
There are other ways to support staff development including mentoring, coaching and establishing reading groups to discuss relevant topics. Also on line course databases such as Libraryskills.io _curated collection of free learning resources for library staff, and more generally LinkedIn Learning has over 16,000 professional video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills.
Library programming will continue to increase in importance
With a reduced footprint required for the physical collection and increasing demands for all manner of services and programs, the opportunity is there for libraries to ramp up their programming. Of course the early childhood story time will continue to be loved and literacy support will be important. However the opportunity for global context and locally focused programs is really only limited by the physical and funding capacity of the libraries and their ability to leverage off quality partnerships.
The above is a simple snapshot of the challenges and opportunities our public libraries face. They are amazing places and services that play such diverse and important roles for our communities.
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