Reading Response 1

“The Future of Libraries: Beginning the Great Transformation”
By: Thomas Frey
url:
http://www.davinciinstitute.com/page.php?ID=120

In the article, “The Future of Libraries: Beginning the Great Transformation,” Thomas Frey gives us ten trends that are affecting the next generation of libraries. One key question brought up is what happened to the works of those who were alive before the time of libraries. Although somewhat destructive, libraries preserved a lot of Leonardo daVinci’s collection of drawings, sketches, and paintings. Today libraries have consisted of large collections of books and other materials, primarily funded and maintained by cities or other institutions. Collections are often used by people who choose not to, or can not afford to, purchase books for themselves.
The first trend talks about how communication systems are rapidly changing. The telegraph was the first communication system, and progressed from the telephone to email. Today we have a communication system called Pod casts. As of now the ultimate form of communication is still only a guess.
The second trend focuses on the fact that all technology ends. Something will end because something new and more technologically advanced has taken its place.
The third trend is about the ultimate small particle for storage. The ultimate small particle for storage has not been reached but perhaps soon it will be.
The fourth trend is that search technology will be more and more complicated.
The fifth trend tells us that we need information faster these days. This means more computers in libraries and fewer people going to libraries because of time restraints.
Trend 6: focuses on a more verbal communication. People want to interact with other people and not machines. Your computers will have more human characteristics and respond to verbal communication.
Trend 7: the demand for global communication
Trend 8: a new era of global systems
Trend 9: the transition from a product based economy to an experiences economy
Trend 10: Libraries will transition from a center of information to a center of culture

I honestly have no idea what is in store for libraries. One thing that is for certain is that they need to adapt to technological advances. For libraries to stay around they have to change with society. Technology is becoming so advance that it is giving us the information that we need instantaneously. I do not believe that libraries are in trouble in the future, just that they need to adapt. For the avid reader, libraries form as a second home and there will always be those who love to read.