Reading Response #3

The Future of Libraries
Beginning the Great Transformation
By Thomas Frey, Executive Director of the DaVinci Institute
http://www.davinciinstitute.com/page.php?ID=120

SUMMARY:

The article takes the history of libraries as far back as the DaVinci collections. It describes the journey of the collections from his own private library to personal possession of one of DaVinci's most trusted assistant and favorite student. Once he died the collection changed a few more hands and got destroyed or missing with each passing of the collection. Not until 400 years after the death of DaVinci did his work become open to the public.

The role of the library was also discussed. From ancient times when books were expensive commodities and chained to lecterns through present day where libraries have evolved from just a place to do research but also a place to enjoy leisure reading. The article also discusses the transformations the library has taken and predicts how a change in technology will affect the future of libraries. The ten key trends that will affect the future of libraries are as follows:

1. Communication systems are continually changing the way people access information.
2. All technology ends. All technologies commonly used today will be replaced by something new.
3. We haven’t yet reached the ultimate small particle for storage. But soon.
4. Search Technology will become increasingly more complicated.
5. Time compression is changing the lifestyle of library patrons.
6. Over time we will be transitioning to a verbal society.
7. The demand for global information is growing exponentially
8. The Stage is being set for a new era of Global Systems.
9. We are transitioning from a product-based economy to an experience based economy.
10. Libraries will transition from a center of information to a center of culture.

MY REACTION:

The most interesting part of this article was the predictions for the future. While a few of them I'd already heard in some form or fashion. The one that most makes sense and provides the most room for opportunities is #9 (Transitioning from a product-based economy to an experience based economy). That rings especially true because in today's economy majority of our "products & items" are imported from other countries. Between technology and lowering costs factories have either become machines or foreign. Also I think that #6 is quite true. There are already programs that allow you to speak the words you want typed. I can only imagine going into a computer lab where there are no keyboards only monitors and microphones or better yet far past verbal pretty soon there will be machines that can read your mind and know what to put on the paper or even know what functions you would like it to do such as shut down, restart, or even power up. Technology is evolving and libraries are going to need less room for books and more room for the technology driven society we have become.