On libraries, bookshops and netbars

Growing up as a youngster, and even today as somewhat of an “oldie”, there is nothing I like better than being able to go to a library. Call me a bookworm, a geek or a nerd whatever - I think if you asked me I could probably describe every library I have ever been to.

One of the nicest I visited was in Melbourne and their public city library that had lots of wood and tall ceilings. Next up was in Washington DC and their Library of Congress. The local city library in Xi'an too was a favorite of mine on weekends. But to be honest I have fonder memories of a tiny library in the remote north of Australia in a town called Roebourne, population maybe 300, where I did a lot of my research for my masters. I think it was just the feeling of peace and transcendence that was found inside.

What’s fascinated me here since coming to China is the way that many people use bookshops as virtual libraries. I’ve noticed in some of the huge bookstores that many customers will pick up a book or magazine and then just spend hours reading it in the shop. Some even just sit down right there on the floor and start reading – I’ve even seen some fellow bring a fold-up chair!

It’s quite a contrast really because back home in the bookshops or newsagents usually the boss prefers that we don’t touch the books or magazines in case we dirty them, rip them or try to steal them. One of their more common remarks to a customer who is looking at a text is, “Are you going to buy that? This isn’t a library you know.” What a pain!

Anyway these days I wonder if it is all changing.

With the internet becoming so pervasive and so many books, magazines and journals going electronic, in many ways it is cheaper and more efficient to just have everything available online. It’s quite exciting actually to think that you can be on a subway in Beijing and reading an article in a Canadian journal that you found via a search through your mobile phone.

Though for all its efficiencies, I wonder if we lose something if we stop investing in public libraries.

I don’t feel the same romanticism for knowledge and literature when I go to a netbar to research nor do I think senior citizens feel comfortable surfing online in such public places amid gaming and qq chatters.

Furthermore the peace of mind and calm state within are often hard to obtain while using the World Wide Web which is so full of distraction that stimulates insatiable desire rather than fulfill deeper spiritual needs.

So what is the future of the library and what is the role and function of the librarian?

Well if we consider that traditionally libraries were storehouses of information, today they have to adapt and provide greater expertise to assist customers in their search for information.

As technology has enabled greater storage of information digitally it’s becoming increasingly important to manage information and be able to find what you want and here is where a librarian can help.

Rather than just turning to google or baidu each time we need to find something - be it for work or study, librarians will be able to assist us by focusing in on that information that is most suited for our search.

Another area where libraries are offered some room to move into the future is their role as a community cultural center.

By acting as a magnet that attracts and advertises the history of an area and facilitates the meetings of its local citizens, a local library can serve a valid community role.

This is particularly attractive to visitors to the area, it also helps youth learn about an area and it also helps to engage people who otherwise may be isolated from society.

So with all the changes going on today I hope there is still room for people to consider the value in investing in public libraries.

Perhaps a healthy mix of old fashioned paper books and newer electronic digital texts may just be the best resource available to assist us in our learning in this brave new world.