Should Libraries still exist? Gone are those days when people really go and spend time in libraries.?

Question

People nowadays have become lazier and inefficient in using the library. They would rather go to internet cafes' or shops to access their work .Is it because of the time, space,policies to follow or have people become insensitive about books and more detached to real reading materials...HOw much are libraries reliable nowadays?

Answer 1

Libraries should exist for many reasons.

They have been and continue to be the university for those who seek an education but cannot afford it. Public libraries build collections in all subject areas and a dedicated individual can self educate him/herself at the library.

Library collections are still much more in depth than the Internet "libraries." If you want a quick answer to something, the web is wonderful, probably. If you are writing on a subject in any depth, the library book, periodical, and govt. documents collections, reference books, and periodicals indexing sources are invaluable. Still, much is not duplicated on the web.

Libraries do recognize the wonders of the web and now provide Internet accessible computers for users. Not everyone can afford a computer; the public library thus is an arena in which some equality of access is provided for those who don't have the technology at their fingertips.

Libraries promote reading throughout the lifespan, starting with toddler story hours and continuing through book reviewing times for adults. And literacy is a fundamental skill in any society.

Libraries provide meeting rooms for community groups and sometimes showcases for patrons' collections.

Libraries provide knowledgeable people who can help you to find information. Just plugging in key words on a computer is not always the best way. Ask the reference librarians, who will help you to focus your question and suggest both print and nonprint resources to assist you.

When you need a publication that is not on the web, not in print, and not in your library, the library will obtain for you a copy of the needed book or article by interlibrary loan, which extends among libraries throughout the world.

Obviously, I guess, you can tell that I am a librarian and love libraries. I do truly believe that libraries provide important contributions to a democratic society.

Answer 2

Librarians are aware of these issues too, and libraries today have become very different places than they were years ago. For one thing, even though they would "rather" go to internet cafes and shops to work, they don't work very efficiently there, and there is still a need for serious study space on campus in a less disruptive environment (the last time I was in my local bookstore, there was a lot of shrieking and rolling around going on among those who claimed to be studying!). Secondly, while I realize that many students think that they can substitute websites for books, their grades often reflect the fact that this is not true. Libraries provide a different path for accessing materials than do search engines; at times, both can be useful. Finally, it is useful to have a place where actual people can put you on a path to finding what you need. FAQs and the like can only go so far if you don't really know how to word your question.

I know that we are in the process of building a new library, and there was a lot of discussion about what everyone wanted and needed from it before the plans were developed. Focus groups were held of students and faculty. The space will be more open, there will be a cafe in there, but most people agreed that some sort of an "information center" was needed.

Answer 3

I definitely think libraries need to exist.

I love the library and I love books. I would rather do my work in a library than in a busy internet cafe, I believe.

Furthermore, I find that books are a much better resource for research than the internet is, plain and simple. The sources are more complete, and more reliable.

Answer 4

I really wish that I would never have to set foot in a library. They just seem so intimidating and trying to weed out the into you need seems like an insurmountable task. I wish all the info and books available in the library were available on the net. That would make research and everything else so much easier.

Answer 5

i feel sorry for the 'libraries'. but i guess their function was already been taken over by the internet. you can do the research in the net with faster speed. you can almost have all the references you want.