Are Libraries on the Way Out as Internet Takes Over?

25 replies
Its an odd question but have any warriors had an experience similar to this one recently?

My daughter is doing a tech course involving units in psychology and psychiatry. To her amazement and mine she discovered there is no library at that learning institution because they depend solely on the Internet now for all information.

What a transformation if this is happening elsewhere as well.

There is so much stuff on line now that whenever I do any research it is the first place and usually the only place I look. The library is not a consideration for me anymore. It seems that books published on line may be taking over from the print material we came to depend on.

That leaves e-books way up there as the future in the search for knowledge. But articles, blogs, ezines, forums and everything else published on line is gaining in power to the extent that we may well see the end of libraries in our lifetime.

What do you think and where do you look when doing your research?

Norma
#internet #libraries #takes
  • Profile picture of the author CmdrStidd
    It is not happening here in Cincinnati right now. Both UC and Xavier have fully functional libraries. In fact, UC has 4 libraries on its main campus.
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    You may take your own research skills for granted... but I know
    for a fact that many people struggle to do the most basic
    of research online.

    Libraries have a great asset in the high level of training of
    the staff librarians. Of course modern library science is developing
    to incorporate the new media. Libraries of tomorrow will
    be different in many ways - and probably even more useful
    in some.

    A lot of the information available online is nowhere near the
    level you can get in print. My girlfriend's father, a biology
    professor with a lot of very specialized knowledge, simply
    scoffs at the internet as a source of the best scientific
    research.

    The net has some good stuff on it but an education gleaned
    only from online sources is, at present, woefully incomplete and
    not one I would wish on our next generation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Norma Holt
      Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye View Post

      You may take your own research skills for granted... but I know
      for a fact that many people struggle to do the most basic
      of research online.

      Libraries have a great asset in the high level of training of
      the staff librarians. Of course modern library science is developing
      to incorporate the new media. Libraries of tomorrow will
      be different in many ways - and probably even more useful
      in some.

      A lot of the information available online is nowhere near the
      level you can get in print. My girlfriend's father, a biology
      professor with a lot of very specialized knowledge, simply
      scoffs at the internet as a source of the best scientific
      research.

      The net has some good stuff on it but an education gleaned
      only from online sources is, at present, woefully incomplete and
      not one I would wish on our next generation.
      That would be my take on it as well. I have a library of books in my study that I will never part with and when doing my studies at ANU I relied on the library for all my research. The research I do now is no where near that standard as I have passed that point.

      That is why I cannot understand why a learning institution has no library. Still the teaching in some of the institutions here in Australia is also coming via the Internet, as it is in USA and elsewhere. It seems like we have entered a new phase of learning that is confusing many people, especially my daughter who has no Internet skills and is now struggling to learn it.

      Norma
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  • Profile picture of the author dave888
    I rarely read full books now... I scan them the same way I do internet articles.

    Scan for relevant information, take what I need, move on.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
    Norma,

    The last time I was in a library, I was using their computer lab to do my research.

    It's just so much easier to search the IP/domain decimal system compared to flipping through the Dewey Decimal System by hand.

    I still like holding/reading a book in hand, but you can always print an ebook, or if you are an ebook publisher, there are many print on demand services that can easily transform an electronic version into a physical book.

    I see this as the future... people want a hard copy of the ebooks/blogs/websites that they like... because that website/blog/post might not be around tomorrow... The best bet is to have a combination of e-information, as well as a printed version (or saved e-version) backup.

    I see this as the evolution of libraries... not their demise.

    Jared
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    • Profile picture of the author ChristineC
      Our local public library is thriving as the economic situation has resulted in more users than ever. It is a new library, and when it was built provision was made for 100+ computer terminals, as well as wireless throughout.

      I imagine that college/university libraries are a victim of the ongoing lack of funding for education? That is certainly true in the US, and I don't imagine it is any different in Australia. They were always a good place to study, so I imagine that they'll be missed not only from the perspective of a lost repository of knowledge, but also for the sanctuary they provided. So much for hallowed halls of learning!

      I was under the impression though, that most academic journals had made a transition to internet based delivery. If that's not the case, then it sounds as though there is a big knowledge gap in the making, especially since I doubt that the average library budget will extend to a subscription for every arcane journal out there!
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        We have an excellent library and it's busy every time I'm there. Often the computer stations are occupied but so are the chairs and tables with people poring through physical books.

        I go there often as I read anywhere from 3-7 books a week (not business related) and they usually have the latest books from my favorite authors.

        A book printed on my printer is fine for how-tos and marketing - but I want a REAL book to read. I also buy a lot of books and when I do I want to own them, share them, give them away to friends after I read them.

        Most universities I've visited have great libraries - I'd hate to see them disappear. For a new school, it's probably cheaper to use only online libraries.

        kay
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  • Profile picture of the author GreatBiz
    I tend to believe that there is still a place for libraries. A lot of information such as scholar's writings, research findings are not easily available online. Many of such reports come at a price. But you can always find some of these stuff in the libraries.
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  • Profile picture of the author artwebster
    As with any new technology, the internet will take time to be accepted and utilised to the fullest extent.

    It really isn't all that long ago that a motor car could only travel in certain areas at walking pace because of the legal requirement for a man to walk in front with a red flag to warn others of the approaching danger.

    When TV was becoming popular, the major complaint was that it would kill conversation and destroy family life. It has actually partially achieved these ends, not because of what it is but because of the way it is used and the way that the producers of TV programming have catered to the desire to dumb down the population and produce the sort of content that, if it was food for the body, you wouldn't want to feed to pigs.

    The internet has been seen as the probable cause of the demise of libraries. This is the usual bleat from sheeple who are disturbed by the speed of change and who cannot adapt fast enough. I remember when my father got his first 'talking book' machine (he was blind) and the comments that it wasn't the same as reading a real book and that, if the technology became easily available, nobody would bother to read any more.

    There will always be a call for hard copy books in the same way that there will always be a call for the cinema to screen films that can be seen on your own TV by inserting a plastic disc into a machine hooked up to it. It isn't that new technology destroys old ways, it is that human beings can not keep up with the speed of change and will automatically resist.

    Maybe books, like vynil records, will become an élitist medium as those who have a habit of reading them die off - libraries will simply continue and adapt.

    Whatever - the doom merchants will continue to speculate on the next aspect of life that will be destroyed by advancing technology
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  • Profile picture of the author Christie Love
    You'll be amazed that more schools are geared toward learning through information found on the internet instead of reading 30 year old books. Because things are changing so fast in the word today, students need to get the most up-to-date information possible and the internet is the best place to get it. At least that's what I was told when I was in college.

    On the other hand, I don't think libraries or book stores are on the way out. In fact, I just got home from the book store less than an hour ago. I was there for about 3 hours as I read (speed read) 5 books and a few magazines.

    And I still frequent the library from time to time.

    My statement is coming from someone who still loves to read books even though I work on the internet all day and I've attended schools where the internet was the main source of research.
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  • Profile picture of the author kevinw1
    Public libraries here are seeing more users, not fewer. Not only that, but the demographic profile of library users is moving towards younger ages, not older as one would expect.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayhew
      Originally Posted by kevinw1 View Post

      Public libraries here are seeing more users, not fewer. Not only that, but the demographic profile of library users is moving towards younger ages, not older as one would expect.
      Same here.

      The county I live in has built 2 brand new, huge libraries. Had to expand because they are always crowded.
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      • Profile picture of the author Barbara Eyre
        Hubby and I practically live at our local, small town/county library. We each have 2-4 books going at a time (biographies, history, fantasy novels, etc).

        We both spend too much time staring at a monitor for our work and some play online ... it's good to give the eyes a rest and read a book while curled up on the bed or couch. I tried reading a book online (ebook style) and I just couldn't. It killed my eyes, I couldn't get comfy enough to enjoy the story.

        The internet may dominate for research and facts, but the library/books will remain for the sheer pleasure, for a change from the internet, and human interaction.
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  • Profile picture of the author Norma Holt
    Its great to see how many are still prone to want to read books. However, here where I live, we have seen 2 public libraries removed in the last couple of years. That was to the protest of nearby residents who now have to travel to get a book.

    My real fear is that the new generation are being steered to computers and by the time they reach adulthood they may not pick up books as we know them. While there are now plenty of oldies, like me, who were reared with books and good reading there will still be a place for the PL. Although many books are now available in digital form, including the bible, dictionaries, encyclopedias, even Darwin can all be read online.

    Systems change and adaptation follows. When decimal currency came into Australia in 1966 very few could adapt to it. I was used to the old systems of pounds weight and pounds money, miles, feet, inches, and so on. Children, however, were educated immediately into the decimal system. Everything was converted and it was a case of adapt or sink. This caused a huge gap between the young and parents who are still more comfortable, even after this length of time, talking in old terms.

    I think the published books will probably be edged out in much the same way especially as it is now so expensive to produce a book compared to an e-book. Also many authors are turning to the Internet to avoid rejection, etc, and to get a lot more for their work than otherwise. Most publisher now expect an author to cover the loss of books returned due to non sales. A very heavy burden to bear.

    Mark Twain was just one of hundreds of now famous authors who published their own books because of rejection and look how far they got. Many Internet publishers are probably in the same ilk and will more easily publish their works for the online reader than the library one.

    Academic works will probably always require libraries I guess, although how long that remains the case into the future is anyone's guess. Even degrees are now gained online and I can see the trend happening right now.

    Norma
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    • Profile picture of the author CocoChanelle
      We have had 2 libraries in our area shut down recently. I don't think you can blame it all on the internet. I think it's just a sign of the times.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        It is not happening here in Cincinnati right now. Both UC and Xavier have fully functional libraries. In fact, UC has 4 libraries on its main campus.
        My son lives just north of you in Oxford - MU has a good library, too.

        kay
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  • Profile picture of the author Thamisgith
    I think libraries tend to adapt pretty well and I don't see them disappearing anytime soon. Most public libraries here in Edniburgh (Scotland) have installed a good number of computers which can be used alongside the written word. Maybe in future we will see more terminals than actual books - who knows? But I think libraries will be a round, in some form, for a long time to come.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
    I can imagine the phasing out of university libraries. When I did my engineering, most information in the uni libraries was always out of date. I wish there had been Internet in those days.

    As for local libraries, I don't see their demise. They are quiet places to enjoy a good book, a browse through the racks, and would be sorely missed. I may do my research online, but I do my reading offline.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    For me there will always be a place for printed books. This reminds me of people saying that CDs were out because everyone was viewing and downloading music online. But all that did was increase sales for the tangible product. Perhaps that's not a perfect example however the point is that people will always want tangible information and products that they purchase or rent.
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  • Profile picture of the author GopalG
    Normah,

    I personally beleive that libraries still have an upperhand when compared to Internet. They are traditional and i can see many of my neighbours are still crazy about it. I can't think of its membership going down at any point.

    Having said that, internet also plays a vital role since it has its own advantages.
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  • Profile picture of the author Norma Holt
    Well, as I said its an odd question but pertinent to IMing. Academic material is always in high demand so I can't understand why my daughter's institution has no library. That's why I ran it by you.

    When I did my degree everything associated was in print form. The libraries at the ANU were always crowded and so were the study areas and computer rooms. They are probably just the same today but the economic downturn may bring changes.

    Many lectures are now conducted online and so students are not on campus as much as they were. The cost of printing far outweighs the inconvenience of expecting students to download and print off material for themselves, thus they can read it offline.

    Personally I have no wish to see libraries close but what television did to radio I think the internet will do and is doing it to printed matter. Note also the people who said they enjoy the quiet of the library are older than those who are reared with computers in their bedrooms for study purposes.

    God bless

    Norma
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  • Profile picture of the author BizBoost
    *** It fluctuates. When everyone was swarming to the internet, some libraries started cutting back hours but they weren't closing en masse.

    In a recession, libraries are in huge demand. I have friends who now get their books and DVDs from libraries.
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