Thursday, December 22, 2016

Libraries are dying – but it’s not about the books

Libraries are dying – but it’s not about the books


‘The library must rediscover its specialness. This must lie in exploiting the strength of the post-digital age, the ‘age of live’.’

The internet stole the monopoly on knowledge but it can’t recreate a sense of place. Revival is possible

Public libraries have had another bad year. They are like churches and local railways. People like having them around, and are angry if they close. But as for using them, well, there is so little time these days.

The latest Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy figures on library closures are dire. In the past five years 343 have gone. Librarian numbers are down by a quarter, with 8,000 jobs lost. Public usage has fallen by 16% and spending by 14%. Book borrowing is plummeting, in some places by a half.


Regards

Pralhad Jadhav

Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co                                                                    


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