Internet won't replace libraries

A few weeks ago, Roy Scott, a Wilbraham resident, asked me why we need a new library. “After all,” he said, “no one goes to the library any more — they use the Internet.”
As a Wilbraham Public Library trustee, this made me cringe. Scott does go to the library, and was surprised when I told him he was one of 2,700 weekly visitors. I know that the Internet will not make libraries obsolete. You can't curl up with a computer in front of the fire on a snowy day. But I have given this question serious thought since that conversation, and decided to see what some other people think.

My eighth-grade daughter, Maggie, who spends countless hours on the computer, said, “I don't think the Internet will ever replace the library. I do my research on the Internet, but I borrow reading books and videos from the library. It saves a lot of money not having to buy and rent them.” Then I thought about the fabled “paperless society” that was supposed to arrive by courtesy of the home computer and Internet. It hasn't happened in our home, where multiple copies of the same documents litter our work space. Yes, we depend on our computer, but it has certainly not replaced paper. The way we use paper has changed, but it is still an important part of our lives. The same thing is likely to happen with libraries. As technology has evolved, they have changed to meet our needs. They are busier than ever, and their pre-school, youth, and adult programs are even more popular. Importantly, they offer equal access to technology for all, and they link people of all ages together. I discussed this with a retired friend. Simone Newton, a former music teacher in the Wilbraham schools, stated, “I don't have the Internet at home. I see an expanded library as a long-term resource for the town and future generations. We will need it even more as we move through the 21st century. We should go ahead with expansion if we can get state funds to help.” What about current students and educators? According to Sabra Dickson, a biology teacher at Minnechaug Regional High School, students writing research papers for advanced biology spend lots of time at college libraries, and they use interlibrary loan a lot. She said, “Resources are too limited at the Wilbraham Public Library, and it would stand a chance of becoming more of a hub for all ages if it were expanded.” Dickson's honors biology students undertake highly technical research where they have no choice but to use the Internet. She noted that in the field of history, the credibility of Internet sources is sometimes considered tainted, so these students may be expected to use the library for their research.

Minnechaug Regional senior Vanessa White said she likes to go to the library with friends to do group work, “but because of the small space, Wilbraham Public Library doesn't have the room for the technology and books we need.” She said, “You can trust the people and books at the library. You can't always trust what's on the Internet.”

Freshman Gordon MacPherson said he uses the Internet a lot because of time constraints, such as having only a few minutes to look something up. He also said, “I do like the atmosphere of a library — the smell of books and that stuff. Books are a 'curl-up' kind of thing for me. I get a snack and tea, and sit down to read.” I wanted the opinion of a computer professional. Patrick Burke, a software engineer, thinks we still need libraries as important centers for social interaction. He continued, “I like the feel and texture of real books. The Internet is a targeted research tool. A library is necessary for archival resources. You can just wander around and see what you find. And, not all people have access to technology at home.”

For all these reasons, I do not believe the Internet is going to replace libraries. The Internet cannot imitate the sense of community a library provides. I believe the way libraries are used will continue to change, and we are making every effort to prepare for those changes. Our expanded building will give residents the library they need for at least the next 20 years. Its flexible design allows us to accommodate changes in technology we cannot even begin to imagine, and will provide a mixture of quiet areas and community gathering spaces. It will incorporate wireless technology and house at least 32 public computers. The Wilbraham Public Library will change and grow, but will never be replaced by the Internet.

Janet Shea
1 December 2004

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