Libraries in Modern Society
Paul SturgesA traditional view of libraries sees them as treasuries, protecting the intellectual and artistic heritage of mankind for posterity, against all kinds of threats (including readers). Only a comparatively few libraries are needed to perform this function and it is arguably a harmful model for most libraries. The majority of libraries need to perform a function that corresponds closely to current human needs, or their existence as physical spaces is pointless. The most common measure of library effectiveness, document issue statistics, shows consistent decline in countries like the UK. Setting this against the global statistics that show increasing use of electronic media suggests that key functions performed by libraries in the past (notably lending books) are no longer so relevant as before. However, statistics of numbers of visits to libraries suggests steady or increasing use in many cases. Clearly some libraries still perform valued functions, particularly access to electronic resources, but is this all? It is argued here that successful libraries are using physical space to offer an imaginative range of facilities and services that provide a close match with human learning styles and leisure preferences. Some examples of successful modern libraries are offered to show what this means in practice. Tracking the emergence of innovative forms of library is offered as a basis for policy development at all levels.