The Future for Networked Libraries

Many Illinois libraries—public, academic, school and corporate—are fortunate to be linked to one of a number of library systems. In other parts of the country individual libraries are part of a county or regional system. In these lean times all libraries are hard pressed to find ways to function with less money, higher operating expenses, and greater demand. It is crucial to the country that libraries survive and thrive in both these tough economic times and in future when the economy rebounds.

This is not the first time in recent years that the viability of libraries has been challenged. Information itself has become “capital.” The information society demands instant and universal access to that commodity. In the 1990s libraries re-invented themselves to meet the demands of the Information Age. In addition Web2.0 required libraries to collaborate, communicate and connect in new ways. Successful libraries re-defined their missions to include interactive services while preserving high standards for traditional resources and values. On the whole, libraries met the challenges of the nineties, and continue to evolve.

Now is not the time for libraries to become complacent. While most have learned to weather the rapid transformations of the past decade, change—a dynamic and continuous process—remains the persistent paradigm. In order to remain both relevant and accountable libraries must not only respond to change, but seek opportunities for innovation.

The suggestions that follow can facilitate innovation in library communities. Although these suggestions apply most readily to the public library, adaptation is possible for academic and corporate library networks.

1) Nodal libraries should be established within a system to:
· Consolidate resources,
· Focus reference and technological expertise,
· Eliminate duplication,
· Enhance service, and
· Be cost effective.

The principal function of the nodal library, in addition to their own local responsibilities, would be to answer complex reference and research questions. Expensive databases and subject emphasis could be distributed throughout the nodes. Smaller, local libraries would outsource non-ready-reference inquiries, saving their limited resources to focus on local services: children and teen needs, community resource nexus, recreational reading, literacy and technology education, program and entertainment resources. Smaller libraries would pay the nodal libraries a smaller amount than they would expend on reference databases and expensive research materials. Staff from smaller libraries could rotate their reference librarians into the nodal system for “reference credits” if desired. A seamless interface could be designed to facilitate communication between client and nodal information specialists that would reflect positively on the local library. Small, local libraries cannot be all things to all peoples. Adoption of a nodal library system would free limited funds for materials and local services while providing expertise and currency that an individual library may find too costly to sustain.

2) Using the best practices of Web3.0 (the Semantic Web) local libraries can
“push” information and agents to their service population. The local library would become a public resource “Cloud” pulling together in-house resources, local government and education entities, community organizations, and local business. For example, a patron/client asks for help preparing a resume because s/he has been laid-off. The library would act as “Resource Agent” providing books on resumes, DVDs for the job interview, local job advertisements, word processing and productivity software, links to counseling and networking groups in the area, a calendar of job related programming sponsored by the library and its partners, links to government unemployment resources, RSS updates on job openings, resume editing services, links to community college resources to upgrade skills with access to college catalogs and registration…You get the idea. The local library would become a linked-in First Resort in the minds of local users and the community.

Adoption of these suggestions would increase the value a library provides to its service community. Cooperation, communication, and collaboration are keys to the future. Libraries can lead the way forward. ©ettsme.blogspot.com September 2009.