Libraries in the Modern World

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I actually had a very good couple of days at uni this week. In the Working with Information module we were taught binary codes (which we were apparently taught at school once upon a time but it completely escapes my memory), set theory, and efficient and compact coding. This wasn't actually explained in relation to libraries but I imagine (in layman's terms) it might have something to do with managing and representing information in an efficient manner. Correct me if I'm wrong because I have an exam to do on this.

I mentioned reading Libraries in the Modern World by Brophy in a previous post which created a stimulating discussion in the lecture because of the author's blatant opinion that libraries are coming to an end because librarians are not capable of adapting to the changes in the modern world, ie. technology, and as a result, will perish. Admittedly, he states that the points he makes are "deliberately presented as threats and deliberately couched in provocative terms" (17). Still, it's enough to rile anybody up who knows the effort librarians put into changing.

His fundamental purpose is to make people aware that change is occurring right now and that libraries need to change to keep up. He assumes, however, that there will be no counter-revolution and that technology is definitely the future (understandably). He also generalises libraries, making no distinction between the different types (academic, public, government) and, therefore, assumes that all libraries are equally at risk from the exact same threats.

He bases his assumptions that libraries will wither on the fact that "past experience would suggest that [libraries] are more likely to allow another market player to capture the market" (17) and that at the moment, although libraries are trying to change, they're not doing it quickly enough to keep up with the changes in technology. I think the main point from this, as an argument against Brophy, is that libraries do have the ability to adapt to those changes going on around them and they are going to adapt as they have done in the past, for example, from card catalogues to OPAC. He states that "libraries can seem to be falling victim to these [web 2.0] changes, unintended casualties of the information revolution" (8), which insinuates libraries neither want to or have put any effort into using web 2.0 to help promote themselves, their collections and keep in contact with their readers. Libraries could have ignored this new interactive information sharing facility deciding to maintain their traditions but they have embraced it because they know the difference it will make, and that is what libraries will continue to do.