Comments on: A “do or die” decade for public libraries http://www.radicalpatron.com/do-or-die-decade-public-libraries/ Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:11:26 +0000 hourly 1 By: SpongeBob Librarypants http://www.radicalpatron.com/do-or-die-decade-public-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-27 SpongeBob Librarypants Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:37:33 +0000 http://www.radicalpatron.com/?p=950#comment-27 I agree that the decade ahead will be pivotal for public libraries. For what it is worth, which is not much, here is my take on the next 10 years: 1. Some public libraries will simply cease to exist or be farmed out to firms such as LSSI and thereby give up local control. I'll say around 10% of all public libraries will have fallen into this category by 2020. 2. There will be a few public library systems that will grow and thrive. These will be public libraries located in either small, wealthy communities or large and growing urban metroplexes. Again, I'll guess at 10% of all public libraries being in this category in 2020. 3. The remaining 80% of U.S. public libraries will go through the next decade continuing to do more with less or, in some cases, just barely keeping their heads above water. They will function as the information social services organization for those who cannot afford home computers and broadband Internet access. So a small percentage will fall away, a small percentage will thrive, and the vast majority will continue to struggle to survive and to maintain the status quo. I agree that the decade ahead will be pivotal for public libraries. For what it is worth, which is not much, here is my take on the next 10 years:

1. Some public libraries will simply cease to exist or be farmed out to firms such as LSSI and thereby give up local control. I’ll say around 10% of all public libraries will have fallen into this category by 2020.

2. There will be a few public library systems that will grow and thrive. These will be public libraries located in either small, wealthy communities or large and growing urban metroplexes. Again, I’ll guess at 10% of all public libraries being in this category in 2020.

3. The remaining 80% of U.S. public libraries will go through the next decade continuing to do more with less or, in some cases, just barely keeping their heads above water. They will function as the information social services organization for those who cannot afford home computers and broadband Internet access.

So a small percentage will fall away, a small percentage will thrive, and the vast majority will continue to struggle to survive and to maintain the status quo.

]]> By: Donna Jackson http://www.radicalpatron.com/do-or-die-decade-public-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Donna Jackson Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:22:23 +0000 http://www.radicalpatron.com/?p=950#comment-26 Great posting. I am a native of Detroit and I've seen how not reacting to change quickly can devastate life and make some things that were once ingrained with life and lifestyle disappear. People are looking for answers and wanting change and the library can be a place that cultivate that change for people. We have the tools to connect persons to the information, we have the space to bring communities together. Right now, some of our library systems are fighting economic distress, but we can't let that stop us from doing what we need to do to stay relevant in the next decade. What we need to do to secure our future is redefine ourselves so that we support the community not only in reactionary times like now, but providing support before our community knows they need it. Great posting. I am a native of Detroit and I’ve seen how not reacting to change quickly can devastate life and make some things that were once ingrained with life and lifestyle disappear.

People are looking for answers and wanting change and the library can be a place that cultivate that change for people. We have the tools to connect persons to the information, we have the space to bring communities together.

Right now, some of our library systems are fighting economic distress, but we can’t let that stop us from doing what we need to do to stay relevant in the next decade.

What we need to do to secure our future is redefine ourselves so that we support the community not only in reactionary times like now, but providing support before our community knows they need it.

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