Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
minority groups or with teenagers in their area and providing support
and even sometimes work experience for them. Book clubs, homework
clubs, premises for local interest groups all abound. An article by
Wooden (2006) examined the four areas of public library activity that
resonated most with both the public and funders alike. These were:
providing safe and productive activities and services for teenagers;
helping address illiteracy and poor reading skills among adults;
affording ready access to information about government services; and
ensuring even greater access to computers for all. Perhaps a little
unusual, but certainly a way to raise interest in public libraries, is a
wonderful idea from Scandinavia which has recently been introduced to
some UK public libraries - borrowing a person! To quote
The Times
:
Instead of books, readers can come to the library and borrow a person
for a 30-minute chat. The human 'books' on offer vary from event to
event but always include a healthy cross-section of stereotypes. Last
weekend, the small but richly diverse list included Police Officer, Vegan,
Male Nanny and Lifelong Activist as well as Person with Mental Health
Difficulties and Young Person Excluded from School.
(Baker, 2008)
Because public libraries do have a special place in the hearts of the
general public it is likely that, in one manifestation or another, the
concept will survive. But in the words of British Member of Parliament
Lyn Brown in 2008:
It seems to be that the original core purpose of libraries for information,
education and culture still holds firm. But the world around continues to
change at an ever increasing pace and libraries must embrace that social
change and constantly adjust the manner, methodology and public face
of how it continues to deliver this core purpose.
(National Literacy Trust, 2008)
National libraries of the future
National libraries are generally funded by governments, firstly to act as
repositories for the topics, journals, heritage materials and grey
literature published in a country, and secondly as centres to support
research. This section focuses on new challenges faced by the British
