Getting all defensive: Fighting for our libraries...Is there any need?

Blog No.5

As I am about to embark on my second work placement next week, I have been thinking about the purpose of libraries and why I want to work within this industry. I'm reading widely, and in doing that, I have noticed that librarians are constantly having to reassess the relevance of libraries in the future. Though in my opinion, the importance of libraries is and has always been incredibly clear.

When I visited my second work placement (Francis Xavier Secondary College in Berwick) I witnessed the library staff having to strive to keep the library 'interesting' for the students, having to make sure that there were enough facilities for other teachers to use, and keeping the library up to date in terms of technology. Though despite the supposed difficulties of all these things, this is what libraries have been doing all along. For example, libraries are constantly having to research their demographic to satisfy customer needs, otherwise nobody would visit the library. Librarians have always had to ensure the accessibility of technology and devices, and at the same time make sure that they are current and able to meet the demands of patrons. When I came to the conclusion that librarians' jobs don't really change in terms of challenges, just the type of challenges they face, I began to wonder: what are we worried about?

As far as the relevance of libraries is concerned, there will never not be a time when quality information is not needed, and the people to organize and preserve this. Aside from that, as Zadie Smith talks about in her article below, she insists that libraries are 'absolutely essential' to create 'equality of opportunity' for people. In simpler words, she is talking about how the library environment offers no prejudice or judgement, which is important for a person of any age. If a primary or secondary student walked into a library and wanted to take out a book, they would be able to do so without any difficulty. In many ways, this would be the only opportunity and environment  where they have the freedom to do this, as every other part of their school life and education is dictated. Everybody needs to be able to have a space where they are allowed to search and discover, which in my opinion, is what libraries continually offer.

Title: 'Zadie Smith defends local libraries'
Author: Zadie Smith
URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/31/zadie-smith-defends-local-libraries