Revisiting 1918's Ideals of the Future

The Future of Library Work, according to St.  Louis Librarian Arthur E.  Bostwick

Jessica Fibelstad
INFO 266 - Spring 2019

Perhaps the favourite article I stumbled across in JSTOR dates from 1918 and offers the author's vision of libraries in the year 1950.  His prognostication of the future library requiring a patron-centric operation and prioritization of outreach to non-users.  Some of this is downright eerie in its familiarity!

His factors of a positive operation are:

1.  Size of the libray's physical establishment: Awareness of the geographic and socioeconomic conditions that may limit patronage, and Cost: another limiting factor

2.  Professionalization: Development of industry standards and respect for the profession

3.  Popularization:  Opening libraries for "the many, not the few....provid[ing] something for EVERYONE who can read..and picture books for those who cannot." (thank goodness more imaginative thoughts have come along)

4:  Socialization:  People use libraries for more than reading - they need spaces for meetings and other activities of groups

5.  Nationalization: Regulation and identity as a public fixture, like public schools, in the eye of the government.

Isn't this fascinating? Over 100 years ago these standards were philosophized upon.  These same factors pop up in many contemporary policies, and articles regarding needs assessments.  Becoming familiar with the library's heritage of great thinkers is a fantastic thing.  Thank you, JSTOR.

Arthur E.  Bostwick, ALA President 1907-1908

Reference:

Bostwick, A.E.  (1918).  The future of library work.  Bulletin of the American Library Association, 12(3), 50-57.

Photograph: 

From Lydenberg, H.M. (1917). History of the New York Public Library, Part V: The New York Free Circulating Library. Bulletin of the New York Public Library 21: 226-7

Digital Libraries Postive of Negative

Wilson, Shibrie

The Good News and the Bad News. (2015, May 24). Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/blogs/annoyedlibrarian/2015/05/14/the-good-news-and-the-bad-news/

There is a constant debate amongst librarians regarding going digital. Many traditional librarians are opposed to materials being accessible to patrons digitally. The issue that some librarians prefer that patrons access library physically and not accessing just on website. Since libraries are constantly competing and defending its relevance we must continue to offer innovative content and materials for patrons. Individuals are seeking after materials in which they can access online without coming to a physical library. This article focuses on different arguments from across the board from those who fully support a digitized library. Some librarians are ready to change the stereotype associated with library of it being boring and just for purpose of "reading books." Libraries will continue to remain relevant due to preferences of different persons, according to article. 

Opinion:

I resonated with this article because it is frustrating to think about different aspects of library and where it will leave professionals. There are different aspect because as professionals we must continue to provide innovative ideas in order to compete with technology. Yet, downside to such is that it can possibly eliminate our jobs.