Libraries becoming obsolete?

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller

Active member
With technology getting better and better every year, some of the stuff we would normally use regularly would become obsolete. This has happened before to primitive technology like phones that look like bricks, floppy disks, type writers, rotary telephones, etc. Let's discuss about this because in the future, we might see libraries becoming obsolete. I'm not saying that they would certainly, but I'm speculating. I mean, we already have ebooks, audiobooks, and content you could download on your phone (via apps). Of course, people still go to the library and no, it isn't obsolete. But with technology becoming more convenient, do you think that libraries will last.

My theory on the issue​

For instance back in the really old days (like in the 90s), you would have to go to a store that would let you rent out movies (Blockbuster anyone?) Nowadays, we have Netflix where you could watch movies without ever having to leave your house. A company like Blockbuster became obsolete because the advancement of technology made life more convenient. This seems like the path that libraries are taking. As technology is becoming more advanced and making life more convenient, it wouldn't be crazy to think that libraries in the future might become obsolete as people can read any book they have in the comfort of their home, without having to go anywhere.

What do you think? Do you think that libraries would become obsolete in the future? Why or why not? This is just a discussion series I'm doing, to get the forums slightly more active.

 
Blockbuster didn't go obsolete because of technology, it went obsolete because it never transitioned to take advantage of the advancements in technology.  There is a significant difference between the two concepts.

With that in mind: with a library card you can setup an account to check out free e-books on your phone, tablet, or computer.  This allows you to bring the library to your home without needing to physically go, meaning libraries have already for the most part already adapted to technological advancements.  In addition, libraries are often the sole source of physical research material or reference material needed for advanced studies, schooling, research, etc, making them more than just an entertainment venue that can be phased out.  As long as knowledge exists to be read, libraries fill the niche.

In addition, with budget cuts hitting many cities, libraries have filled in a niche where they are holding more community events, fundraisers, after-school programs, and more, making them something of a community center and library combination.  While this is certainly not true everywhere, it is the case for most urban libraries, and they are increasingly becoming more varied institutions.

Libraries are already adapting to changes in technology, budgets, and culture; they'll be fine.

 
Yes, both fiction and non fiction literature are being published more and more online. Resources to aquire these are becoming more mainstream and so are the tools we use to view them. The place where you go to get a library card is pretty much obsolete already. The functions it does do for the community could be taken over by some other city/town level government administration. 

 
I don't think libraries will ever be obsolete, its true that technology has basically brought libraries home but it can't replace the sense of wonder or create a safe haven for the curious like a library can.

 
Back
Top