The Future of Libraries in Question with Rising Technology

With the rise of digital engagement among younger generations, will people continue to find joy going to the library to find new content to read or new sources to research?

Avid readers and librarians alike have been pondering the future of what the world will look like if technology were to replace physical books. People are concerned with how the rising trends of today’s society will affect the community that public libraries have historically created.

“Libraries aren’t just community spaces–they’re portals to information, education and everyday resources, from study groups to childcare. But what does that mean in a time when the communities’ libraries serve have changed dramatically?” PressReader.com writes.

According to PressReader, libraries risk losing relevance if they don’t keep up with current trends, specifically what the rising use of technology holds. Libraries could fade into obscurity.

However, there is a bright side to the future of libraries and what people will be able to use them for. According to Clark Nexsen Engineering, libraries offer more than literary works, from providing access to technology, to holding meeting rooms to help with workforce development; acting as a community center for performing, educational, and social interaction, to providing a more safe and inclusive space for the community they reside in.

“The future of libraries is not something I’m worried about. They’ve been around longer than our modern memory likes to consider. Libraries have a long history,” Nikki DeMarco, a writer for the Book Riot website, said.

Libraries can be used for more than holding books for public use–theycan be used for much more and can have a greater impact on the community.

“The most successful public libraries are designed with people in mind and with the help of the community they serve. These libraries not only reflect the identity of the individuals using the space but also provide the staff, stakeholders, and users with a sense of identity and ownership of the library,” Clark Nexsen said.