Reading Assignment #3

This reading starts out by telling the importance of libraries throughout history. It gives the story of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings being kept and preserved by libraries across the world for over two hundred years. The purpose of libraries is changing with today’s society, mainly because of the wide use of the internet. People don’t need to go all the way to the library to find information when they can simply type it into Google and find everything they need. The site refers to books as a technology of information, and, “every technology has a limited lifespan.” It also tells us that the importance of librarians will grow as technology gets more complicated. Random people are not going to know how to work these incredibly advanced machines to find what they are looking for, and librarians are going to have to be there to help them. The article ends with encouraging libraries to “reinvent” themselves and move with society. They need to change services they offer to the public and keep up with the technology around them.

A new library just opened in my hometown last summer and when I compare that one to the old one, it is like night and day. I think there might have been two or three computers in the old library, but the new one has a few computer labs as well as individual computers scattered thoughout. I think this is a sign of libraries changing their services and keeping up with technology in my community. The first thing people use nowadays to find information is computers, and I think it is important for libraries to embrace this. I am glad libraries across the country are following these trends of technology and I look forward to what more is to come from libraries in the future.