$39.5 Million Hi-Tech Library Opens In Illinois 98
The new $39.5 million Fountaindale Public Library features: flat-screen TVs, video games, self-checkout stations, a variety of e-readers, and a cafe. Library officials say the new facility is a blueprint for libraries of the future, and will focus on using new technologies. From the article: "The Fountaindale Public Library, with its state-of-the-art, Wi-Fi equipped space, is starkly different from the previous antiquated library, a nearby one-story brick structure built in 1975 that awaits the wrecking ball. Officials are hopeful the new facility attracts a demographic libraries haven't seen in a number of years — young professionals."
Re:Recession? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Recession? (Score:5, Insightful)
Hey, we got cash for new sports stadiums and missiles and what-not, why not libraries - at least they target generally lower-income people.
Edmonton moved to the "high-tech" libraries a few years ago, and the only complaint I have about them is the self-checkout, and that's just because I like librarians (the machines generally work just fine).
Videogames get kids in the door, at which point there's a chance they'll actually pick up a book. Ditto movies and music. Public wi-fi is a logical partner to libraries (open access, etc.)
Re:Waste. (Score:5, Insightful)
I doubt it, in my experience most libraries fill far more than just the role of book repository. My local public library has live readings, local authors, numerous child programs (including some for infants and families), internet and computer access, study rooms, conference rooms, inter-library loan for those hard to get (and very much non-electronic) books, tutoring programs, etc... They fill both social and personal flesh-space needs centering around knowledge, information sharing, and learning.
And don't forget the almost-mystic power of a good librarian. Perhaps they could perform in a telework model if libraries do go the way of Blockbuster, but they'll still be needed as both public and private servants.
Re:Can doesn't mean should (Score:4, Insightful)
The question is, essentially, "what is a library?"
Is it purely a book repository?
Or is it more of a cultural or information repository?
Because a good chunk of our culture and information these days is never printed out in a book.
Re:Waste. (Score:4, Insightful)
>>>numerous child programs, tutoring
that's what videogames and school/teachers are for
If I had to pick between a good teacher and a good librarian, I'd take the librarian. The upside of spending your work day surrounded by books is that you tend to become well-rounded and well-informed.
Disclaimer: I spent a summer in my youth working in a library (upgrading the card catalog from Apple II to PC). You can't help but learn things in that environment.
Nice to see money going to libraries (Score:5, Insightful)
I guess I'm a bit old school when it comes to libraries (nothing better than an old Carnige library building) so I'm a little dubious that televisions and video games should be there - they constitute a distraction from reading and research. On the other hand, it's heartening to hear that money is being put into libraries - they're an important resource. Technology for cataloging and checkout is certainly good, as a library full of books can be quite the resource management challenge.
I'm a little surprised they're unhappy about not seeing professionals - in my experience as people move to the young professional stage specialization means the local public library isn't likely to have what they need (specialized technical books tend to be a long shot, since only one in 1000 patrons will want it and that one probably would order a newer version through Amazon...). On the other hand, they're GREAT for young kids who will burn through a ton of books on a broad range of topics in short order. They're also good when you get towards retirement and don't need the intense focus demanded by professional careers - wandering into the library and picking up a random book for half a day is more practical then.
If they want young professionals(why?) they'd have to get a whole bunch of subscriptions (online, if nothing else) to paywall publications that people can't cheaply get at home via the internet. (One of the great things about universities - if you want a random scientific article you can often go online and download it, as opposed to coughing up $30...)