We’re a highly technological society, yet dependence on public libraries seems to be increasing. Why is that?
Public libraries provide access to learning and information in all forms, not just the printed word. People depend on public libraries for access to the Internet. In Hartford, 40 percent of our customers visit to gain access to a computer, which helps them find a job, pay a bill, create a resume, do homework, and help them manage their lives. While libraries do an incredible job of connecting people with technology, the demand for this service is significantly outpacing our capacity to make necessary upgrades, purchases, and repairs. Our challenge is to keep pace with the enormous waves of change in technology to ensure that we are providing our citizens with equal access to information that helps them participate actively in their world.
Strong public libraries that provide up-to-date technology are essential to building healthy communities. Every day, public libraries provide access to technology for thousands of people across Hartford and the State, connecting them to e-government services, online homework help, and employment services. But, without an increase in federal, state, and local funding, many libraries may be unable to maintain the high level of technology-based services that our customers have come to rely on.
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What can public libraries like yours do to aid business? People may not think of the library as a resource.
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Many libraries have significant business collections in print and other media. Although businesses can often access the information they need via the Internet, the management and cataloguing of the business collection provides a resource-rich source of information and the keen reference skills of professional librarians. Successful information gathering is a nuanced process, humans are good at nuance, and computers are not. Libraries also partner with community and governmental agencies to produce small business programs at no or reduced cost to help business owners and their staffs maintain prosperous enterprises.  Public libraries provide many crucial tools and resources to help small businesses launch and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace – from training on how to apply for business licenses, seminars on securing bank financing and workshops on creating successful marketing campaigns. And most services are free.
In recent years, Hartford Public Library has developed job and career resources to help people find work. And during theses challenging economic times, the staff is busy helping people determine how to find work that fits their skills and passion.  Not everyone receives outplacement services when they lose a job, so the library provides a level of quality that is rather close to work done by some outplacement firms. And it’s free, of course. Not everyone is successful right away, but we can assure all job seekers who turn to the library that we will provide the best resources and services available to get them on their way.
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What’s the evolution of public libraries going to be? Are library users graying or are younger people still turning to the library as a resource?
Librarians who say “ssssshhhhhh” , the smell of old books and endless shelves of often unused volumes are being swept away as our library system undergoes a complete transformation. The stereotypical library is fading as digital learning centers emerge, community rooms that promote public discourse become the norm, and as we reach our customers by tweeting and blogging. And that’s just the surface.
While a battle is engaged to fight efforts to digitize the world’s books and create a worldwide library online, public libraries must move ahead knowing that physical books may not be the strongest component in our efforts to educate the public, if at all.
But despite all the technology, the mission of the library will not change: to promote and support literacy and learning , to provide open and free access to information and ideas, and to help people participate in our democratic society.
We are not a warehouse for books any more, but a community center where people can learn to achieve what’s possible in their lives.
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You’re not a career librarian. Does that signal a shift in hiring for library heads? Is more of a business approach necessary to keep libraries vital?
The fact that I am not a career or professional librarian shouldn’t be seen as a sea change in hiring library leaders. For Hartford, it was a decision to focus on organizational leadership and a business vision for the library. Over a long career I have developed professional skills that are an excellent fit with what the Library needs in a changing environment. In a challenging economy, library services are more necessary than ever. Other libraries across the country also understand the need to focus on operational precision and innovation. They are appointing Presidents and CEOs and foregoing a traditional chief librarian model. Examples include New York City, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio, among others. This does not discount the importance of professional Librarians as senior managers in our organization, but we strongly believe that the Library must focus on business administration and innovation to help the Library survive and thrive.
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What’s one aspect of libraries that might change in the future that could benefit business?
Businesses can support the 21st -century library as a center of learning and community and libraries, in turn, can provide services to employees that can reduce the cost of training and education for businesses. In partnership, libraries can help business thrive by improving what employees need to know to ensure the prosperity of the business.
I think that the library may be the venue to follow the call made by President Obama, in his inaugural address, “to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.” Â Nothing is impossible as we think without boundaries about what we all want to achieve together.
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