The Library of the Future...

Libraries are changing, what it was known as a space of silence and reading, as a warehouse of information, is no longer the norm. Today in the 21^st century, libraries are now community centers, a hub that is open to all, a place at which people around the community may share their ideas and learn new skills.

A library in the 21^st century and beyond should provide its users with an appropriate atmosphere so that people that make use of the services offered by the library feel comfortable and relaxed.

The role of a library at the center of a community is ever evolving, library staff must constantly put together new creative space so that library users and the community at large can experiment and determine what ideas are drawing attention and getting traction. A library of the future should also be built with a certain design philosophy in mind, to provide easy access to its users and should be aware of the necessities of people with physical disabilities.

Some possible facilities / rooms, for a library of the future, include:

·         Band practice rooms

·         Podcast stations

·         Art studios

·         Recording studios

·         Video studios

·         Imagination rooms

·         Theater-drama practice rooms

The technology and equipment employed in a library of the future should be provided in accordance with the necessities of its users and the community its serves. An important challenge that libraries face, is the continuous advance of technology. The library of the future should embrace technology and lend a helping hand to its users. A library of the future should provide to its users with a vast array of tools at their disposal, tools such as: 3d printers, workstations, Wi-Fi access, laser cutters, programming, etc…

The collection or material in a library of the future should not only include physical books, but also “e-books” and other forms of media, with content diverse enough to be able to provide useful information to its users and the community it serves.

A library of the future should have a flexible horary, being able to adapt to different situations and events, but more importantly it should be able to provide its services at all times, should the need arise.