What will libraries be like in 2100?

Mueller, Kara

O’Donnell, J. (2015). What Will Libraries Be Like in 2100? Retrieved December 9, 2015, from http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/11/what_will_libraries_be_like_in_2100.html

Summary: This article, written by Jim O'Donnell, the university library at Arizona State University, discusses his predictions for the state of libraries in the 22nd Century.  He asks the question "What will libraries be like in 2100?"  He offers three different answers to that question, and explains how he came up with those responses.  His first answer to the question is that there will be only one globally comprehensive and accessible library.  This library will be entirely online, and information will be available to anyone around the world.  His  second answer is that there will be approximately 3 million libraries around the globe.  These libraries will most likely hold special collections that are unique to that place and its history.  Patrons will come to these libraries to view these collections, but also to seek, share and create knowledge.  Librarians will be seen as "coaches, mentors, guides, and facilitators."  O'Donnell's third and final answer reflects a pessimistic outlook, and states that there will be no libraries in the next century.  This could be caused by disasters such as nuclear weapons, asteroids, global warming, or by the people and our arrogance.  No matter what happens by the year 2100, it is clear that we DO need libraries.  As they are "a place to meet, a place to talk, and most importantly, a place to read."

Evaluation: I really enjoyed this article as it outlined three different scenarios for the future of libraries.  There are many different things that could happen to libraries in the next hundred years, but it is important to have goals to work towards.  All three of the solutions O'Donnell mentioned above are very realistic; it just depends on how our society views libraries and their importance.