Are libraries sustainable in a world of free, networked, digital information?

Abstract

The evolution of libraries through three stages -modernization, automation and digitization-is analysed. A formula is presented to evaluate the importance of libraries to our society, and it is applied both retrospectively and futuristically, extrapolating a 2030 scenario. The conclusion is that if the current generation of librarians does not introduce radical changes in the role of libraries, their future is seriously threatened. KeywordsAnalysis, Sustainability, Values, Roles, Functions, Libraries, Extrapolation, Future developments, Prospects, Trends, Forecast.Título: ¿Son las bibliotecas sostenibles en un mundo de información libre, digital y en red? ResumenSe analiza la evolución de las bibliotecas en sus tres etapas de modernización, automatización y digitalización. Se presenta una fórmula para evaluar el grado de interés que las bibliotecas tienen para la sociedad, y se aplica tanto retrospectivamente como para extrapolar el posible escenario del año 2030. Se concluye que si la generación actual de bibliotecarios no es capaz de introducir cambios radicales en el papel de las bibliotecas, su continuidad está seriamente amenazada. Palabras clave Introduction 1Sustainability is the capacity to endure over time. Libraries are among the institutions with the greatest longevity in our society, but the great technological changes that have affected them, especially since the advent of the internet and the digitization of information, have led many researchers to wonder about the future of libraries and whether such institutions continue to make sense. Recent studies include (2008). The professional community began to worry when several studies (Housewright et al., 2013) showed that users are now much more autonomous than before to seek information on their own, allowing them to dispense with using the library to meet their information needs.Lluís Anglada 604 El profesional de la información, 2014, noviembre-diciembre, v. 23, n. 6.

Changing trends in Spanish library services: Conceptualization and measurement in official statistics

“…Regarding the main aim, the analysis of the editions of the questionnaire reflected a changing role of libraries that has gone hand in hand with technology developments and trends in society. Along with a significant body of literature, the evidence presented in this paper supports a transformation of libraries from places for quiet work, study and lending books, to meeting spaces for socializing, sharing and active learning (Anglada, 2014). At present, public libraries are far more than a place for borrowing books or multimedia products; they are a place where users are active, rather than passive recipients (Evjen and Audunson, 2009).…”

“…Despite the many social changes in recent decades, there is a perception by professionals, researchers and practitioners that libraries have not sufficiently adapted their services to the new expectations and requirements placed on them (Michnik, 2014). Library hours, for instance, should better respond to citizens’ non-working days and holidays, and be adapted to new forms of communication such as social networking (Anglada, 2014). Libraries should also attend to the needs of people who do not use them or use them infrequently (Goulding, 2009; Sbaffi and Rowley, 2015), and the needs of excluded social groups and communities (Muddiman et al, 2001).…”

Bibliotecas Públicas: contexto, tendencias y modelos

“…Cada vez más, se percibe a la biblioteca sin relacionarlo con la fisicidad (edificios y libros físicos) (Anglada, 2014), aun así, se conserva la ideas de los espacios físicos de la biblioteca, de manera que, estas sean flexibles, acogedores y sociales (Caridad, García, Martínez y Morales, 2018), y se mantenga como un espacio de convivencia, trabajo y aprendizaje usando las nuevas tecnologías (Alonso-Arévalo, 2016;Marquina, 2013).…”

Perfil professional a les biblioteques publiques : visi� dels bibliotecaris mateixos

“…En este trabajo se presenta un ejercicio reflexivo sobre las causas y factores que hacen que las bibliotecas sean interesantes y atractivas para la sociedad que las financia, es decir, que las sostiene. En su primera versión estas ideas se expusieron en la conferencia Bobcatsss (Anglada, 2014). En las secciones siguientes se propone una fórmula matemática que permitiría conocer en cada momento histórico el grado de sostenibilidad de las bibliotecas en base a los valores asignados a sus variables.…”