Are libraries still relevant?

‎"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." -- Henry Ward Beecher


This quote I posted on Facebook brought up an interesting question: "What exactly is the library profession's argument for its own existence these days? I ask in all sincerity, as someone who agrees with Beecher's statement in spirit but worries about the future of libraries."


My response was a quick response: there are multiple reasons that libraries are still relevant.

First of all not all US households have a computer or internet connection in their household, nor can afford one. The library is a great equalizer for all people, rich or poor to be offered the same information.

Second the books we keep are still a national treasure. Recently I found out that the library is the only place in Hamtramck that has the City Master Plans that are required by law. Without our library many of the documents would have been lost. Many libraries are archives for their cities and hold priceless documents that do not exist online.

Third, there are still people like me that absolutely hate e-books, nothing can replace the feel of holding one of your favorite books. A screen is not a proper replacement to replace the feel and smell of a book.

Libraries also see the need to become more than just a repository of books. We do shift as an industry to the times. Libraries are more of a community center for people to gather. We can fill a need for cities that others can't. We don't shush people much anymore, unless you are truly obnoxious and rude. My library gets on average 300-500 visitors a day, and yes most of those come in to use the computer, but our circulation has also gone up over the past few years. Is that an indication that people are reading more, or that we have begun to adapt our collection to meet the needs of the community.

That is the main part libraries adapt to meet needs of their communities, we can outreach and do other things for people, we offer ESL classes, have a community garden, movie screenings, and in my opinion libraries are worth far more than they get credit for. We change with the times and do more with less and less each year.

Here's also a piece about the library's shift towards going digital.

But how can libraries break the perception of becoming obsolete?