As the world evolves, so does our lifestyle experience change, the world has gone digital in most aspects of life and we begin to ponder if there is still a need for some of the institutions we relied on before, since most of them still follow the traditional way of getting things done, and one of which is our library. When we think about a library, most of us just imagine a large hall filled with shelves of books, and available spaces surrounded by peace and quiet, the supposedly best environment to read without disturbance and have a better understanding.
Since the world has gone digital, hardly do people still rely on hard copies to source or research information, rather, most percentage of people even students now make use of their smart devices to source quick information instead of shuffling through different large books, so does that warrant the eradication of an institution that has passed down knowledge for centuries? It will surprisek you to know that the use of libraries started a very long time ago, almost as old as the world is, 2000BC.
I used to have the same thought about the library being non-functional now, but all of that thought was corrected after offering library course last semester, one vital piece of information you should know about the library is that it has tried to evolve, following the pace the world is going, there was a time people used slate to save information, before the use of books, the library still stayed strong rendering its services to readers all over the world, and now as the world diverted to the digital world, some libraries also improved and adapt to the current change, we now have open and closed digital libraries, where the open online libraries offer access to information free of charge to its users, while the closed might need some sort of permission to access them.
So no, to the thought that libraries are no longer functional because they are also moving as the world is, even the traditional way of reading books, can't be totally replaced because there still exist book lovers all over the world who would prefer holding and feeling every page of the book as they assimilate each world, some even crave for the smell of an old book, a satisfying reading pleasure it gives them, not forgetting the peace and quiet the library offers.
I remember during my former school days, both high school and the university, we had reading clubs and partners which were made possible right in the library because that was where most of us connected, the library shouldn't be viewed as just a hall filled with shelves of books but a place that has been made comfortable for information seekers and a place that conserves tradition, also making information easily available at little or no cost, the new generation who easily get distracted while studying with their devices would do better if our library stays giving them to enjoy and benefit from the traditional way of seeking information,
In conclusion, our libraries are still very much needed in this present digital age. While the use of digital technology has staggered traditional library services, its benefit is that it has also created new opportunities for libraries to evolve and adapt.
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The evolution of libraries is not just interesting but also necessary to maintain progressiveness. A lot of people still find value in it and their hunger for books needs to be satisfied.
Exactly, libraries should stay as long as life still exist