is there any real need for LIBRARIES anymore?

Question

The internet provides people with information now, although not always reliable

Answer 1

Yes, not every one has internet access.
For me its solitude...I'm able to read in peace...try that in our house...its impossible!

Answer 2

OK- how about an answer from a librarian????

I can tell you why we need libraries-

THE LIBRARIANS!!!!!

I know, I know- people think we're a bunch of dusty old maids sitting around waiting for the new Danielle Steele novels to be delivered, but our job is actually-

INFORMATION TOURGUIDES- your knowledge navigators in the vast stormy sea of facts and factoids that buffet us daily.

Did you know you need a Master's degreee to be a Librarian?

Most of the people working at your local library are NOT librarians. The fine folk who check out your books and absorb your verbal abuse when they ask you to pay your fines are support staff. The librarians are usually tucked away in the reference area, working on stuff like selecting material for the library, preparing statistics and budgets, or coming up with ideas for community events, in between answering reference questions.

People ask me all the time "Why do you need a degree to be a librarian?" I'll tell you why- because of the guy who needs marketing statistics for his start-up business; or the woman who's looking for a cancer support group, the kid who wants to find out how to get pictures of Mars into his school report, the mom who wants a state rating for her kids' school, the elderly lady who wants to know if the sweepstakes letter she got is a scam, the man who wants to know what brand of fridge has the best repair record, the couple who want driving directions to a state park, the man who wants to know where he can learn English, the woman who wants a phone number for a company in Singapore, the person who wants to know how to set-up an e-mail address, the lady who needs an obituary for her grandmother......

We are your community concierge, and THAT is what you cannot get from the Internet- a real human who knows where the quality is. We don't just hand you information- we tell you who produced it, whether they're a reliable source, how up-to-date it is. We can suggest sources you may not know about. That's what we spend all that time in school learning.

Oh, and just F.Y.I, most of the librarians I've met are married, have kids, and lean (at least) a little toward the left, politically. As a group, American librarians have been very vocal and activly fighting the so-called "Patriot Act", and will defend to the (occupational) death your right to privacy regarding what sort of information you seek.

So, stop by- say "Hi!" Bring a question- Don't be shy! Remember what your first grade teacher said "There's no such thing as a dumb question" (except maybe "is there any real need for libraries anymore?")

Answer 3

Hmmmmm. Good question. Not everybody has a computer. There probably really isn't a need for libraries any more, but societies some times hang on to things and do things that aren't really necessary anymore. There's a word for it, but I can't think of it right now. For example we really don't NEED summer vacation, yet it is a practice that's still continued from when families needed the children to help harvest the crops, so they were let out of school for the summer. Plus, I think there's something pleasurable about going to a library and being surrounded by books.

Answer 4

Libraries provide computers and an internet acess for people that do not have one. Libraries provide people and students a place to work in the afternoon. I personally go to the library to read a book or sit and study in peace.

Answer 5

Libraries hold such a wealth of information. My local one has DVDs, audio books, CDs, Booklets, Atlas, Periodicals, Newspapers. What a wonderful resource and money well spent.

We can't always go round connected to the Internet and it is so nice to sit back relax and read a book from time to time; not to mention the wonderful Bookstart scheme for babies and toddlers.

Answer 6

Think you answered your own question. At least in books, usually the information has been fact-checked. Wikipedia is great, because people can't get away for long posting wrong stuff. The other reason is - have you tried curling up in bed with a good e-book? I like the feel of a real book!

Answer 7

You must be spoiled, because I need the library for access to the internet its also a public place kind of like a park where you can get away for a little bit. Its a good question, but in my opinion it would be a real shame to close them down.

Answer 8

i would like to see you read a computer on a long train journey? or try sitting on the toilet with a good "PC" a book is a perfect way to escape the land of techno i love reading i like my PC and Internet as well libraries are great you can get loads of books for free we pay for it through poll tax so make the most of it i suggest we all get some books from our library as soon a s possible so we hang on to one of the few good things that are provided free also remember most libraries have Internet access for anybody who struggles with books!

Answer 9

Answer me this: Can you take an pc to bed and read a novel from the screen? Possibly, if you have a laptop, but eyestrain will kick in pretty rapidly. The internet is great, but it won't replace books, particularly fiction books.

Answer 10

Libraries are wicked places and there will always be a need for them...they provide a social outing - even though you have to be quiet!

Answer 11

You awsnered your own quesiton, when i do my research for my thesis all i use is libraries, though the internet is a good quick look up for certian questions you may have, and a speedy dictionary its not always reliable