Undoubtedly the turn of the 21st century has been a crossroads for communities across America. Planners are becoming more uncertain of which road to take to towards livability, the latest and most thought out models of revitalization being thrown into disarray by constant redevelopments in technology and the unforseeable factors that mediate the outcome. But as the unfolding of the digital age propels us into the unknown, there is one thing that is certain—education is a key to building a more vibrant and sustainable community.
Libraries have always been a cornerstone in our society. But as Rick Cole of the CitiSates group argues, libraries have, overtime, taken the route of simply becoming a building known for dispensing books. In the transition to the digital age, such a model is not sustainable in the long run, especially under tight municipal budgets. With clientele disappearing and more and more individuals subscribing to e-books, smart phones, and other electronic gadgets, the question is, how could an anchor institution so important stay alive but maintain its original quota of keeping our citizens well equipped to succeed?
Clearly the makeup of each American library is different, from the Grand Central Library of New York City to that of City Library of Hillsboro, Texas. But no matter how large the collection or number of clientele of these two institutions maintain; each holds a central purpose—to foster an environment for community learning. They are service providers for the vocational and educational growth of our citizens. This is the lesson that Cole presents in his article, “Libraries Can Lead the Digital Age.” Cole follows the example set by the Sunshine Coast Council of Brisbane, Australia. Here, libraries are adjusted to “informal family university offering more than 4,500 activities, workshops and events that foster a ‘learning community.’” Such activities change the perceptual notion of what library was and set forth a new identity for what libraries can become.
In an age when technology is dominate and America faces some of the toughest economical challenges, libraries present an opportunity to foster a center for community change. With the library withstanding the testament of time, the digital age presents a key challenge to the institution. Albeit the model of the Sunshine Coast Council is costly and cannot be applicable to all American institutions, the lesson is universal—libraries must adjust their programming in order to recast their identity in the digital age.
None is too true for America’s shrinking cities. In centers most drastically hit by foreclosures and population decrease, libraries can be seen as a key institution for helping communities get back on their feet. Yet this involves reprogramming the library to become a center of community learning, not just through literacy, but through vocational training and centers of workshops, a practice that was adopted by the Sunshine Coast Council.
As Cole puts it, this doesn’t mean buying the latest computers or technological update, it simply means rebranding the identity of the library as a center for resources, education and vocational training among the citizens. In this regard, libraries should seek to instigate and mediate changes in the philosophy and programming to help residents become more effective in developing social and economic development agendas. For our shrinking cities, it means changing the resident’s mindset of the library from a book dispensary to a provider of community service.
In this role, education can become a cornerstone in revitalizing any community in the digital age. No matter what plan of revitalization libraries have always been a part of our history. Letting our key institutions fall the cracks of municipal budgets and disrepair can only hinder such success. The key is to reprogram the institution to meet the needs and the challenges of the current age, preparing and advising residents to fit into a constantly changing economy. In order to do so, we need to turn to what has been with us throughout time, adapting and maintain the sustainability of these institutions for years to come.
Click Here Read Rick Coles Article "Libraries Can Lead in the Digital Age"
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