Are libraries still a thing? Why it will survive in a digital age - How To Be Books (2024)

We’re in a state of flux regarding our communal spaces, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic and amid the current cost of living crisis. This situation has led many to rethink their attitudes towards public areas, both positively and negatively. One of the most significant insights we’ve gained is the immense importance of collective zones such as public libraries. They serve as warm banks and support for people in need. However, as funding continues to decline and books face challenges in some areas, we have to ask: will libraries actually survive?

Changing landscape of public spaces ‘post-Covid-19’

T. S. Eliot once wrote, “The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man.” Eliot, regarded as one of the 20th century’s greatest poets, was no stranger to the written word and keenly aware of its importance. However, he scarcely could have imagined the recent transformations in libraries, particularly at a time when young children generally read less, often have reduced access to books, and increasingly turn their attention to screens.

Read: UK cost of living crisis: ‘a million children do not own books’

Apparently, American libraries witnessed an astounding 1.59 billion visits in 2009, thought to be a golden era of reading. This represented a robust 35% increase in library visits compared to 1992. However, since that peak, there has been a consistent decline, with visits decreasing by 21% by 2019, even before the pandemic struck. At the same time, book checkouts have diminished by 19%, alongside a reduction in available selections. In that same year, the total book collections in libraries had dwindled to 693 million volumes, a significant drop from the 816 million volumes recorded in 2008. A similar trend is observable in the UK.

Funding, technology, and access

Only this month, a major review conducted by former journalist and government adviser Baroness Elizabeth Sanderson, found that there was a “lack of recognition across government, locally and nationally, of the work that libraries do.”

Read:Library spending increases, but funding still lags behind

Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, who participated in roundtable discussions during the review, expressed her support for the proposed recommendations. These include establishing a national data hub, implementing automatic enrolment for children, and appointing a dedicated libraries minister. However, the “underlying issue for the sector”, Hunter stated, is “under-investment in the public library network, the result of successive cuts to council budgets, inflation and rising demand for other statutory services such as social care.

“For libraries to truly prosper and fulfil the potential outlined in Baroness Sanderson’s review, councils need a fairer, long-term funding solution,” Hunter added. “Without this, it is difficult to see how these recommendations can be fully implemented and resourced.”

Read: Advocates respond to major English public libraries review

There is also growing concern about the levels of illiteracy and limited access to books, highlighted by campaigns from several prominent figures. Children’s Laureates Joseph Coelho and Sir Michael Morpurgo, alongside Philip Pullman, have called for the protection of school libraries and investment in early years reading. Pullman commented, “It’s also been too easy for some school heads to downgrade the school library into some sort of ‘information centre’, with the focus on computers and technology rather than books.” The occurrence of bomb threats at certain libraries in the US further epitomises the ongoing significance of these institutions.

The significance of libraries in the community

In their study, “From Civic Place to Digital Space: The Design of Public Libraries in Britain from Past to Present,” researchers Alistair Black and Simon Pepper look into the profound impact public libraries have had on shaping societies in Britain. They explain how these institutions emerged in 1850 and quickly became integral to both the sociocultural and urban architectural landscapes. According to Black and Pepper, “Public libraries in Britain…became places of civic importance, reflecting a strong, ‘modern’ desire among the middle and respectable working classes of Britain’s expanding towns and cities for social and material progress.”

They reiterate that this development occurred with minimal central government intervention, relying instead on local state actions and funding through local taxation, making these libraries accessible to everyone. The role of public libraries was further strengthened by philanthropic action before World War I and enhanced by increased national support post-1918. After World War II, public libraries became part of the broader welfare state. The researchers note that these libraries have had to adapt, with varying degrees of success, to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving postmodern digital society. This can be seen through the cost of e-books, which is far greater than physical books for libraries.

The struggle with digital mediums

For one, physical books have a shelf life with David Blanchard of Planet Money saying that most books last 30 to 100 loans or so. He explains that in theory, a library could purchase a single e-book and then infinitely copy and distribute it, which could be perceived as unfair to authors. To address this, librarians and publishers reached a consensus. They decided to treat e-books similarly to physical books. This agreement consisted of two key points: firstly, the number of users who can borrow an e-book would be limited, and secondly, libraries would be restricted from lending out an e-book indefinitely. There would be a set limit. As a result, publishers began to raise the prices of e-books, with some costing as much as $50 to $60 – and that is only for two years (or $550 for one copy for 20 years), according to the American Library Association.

Alan Inouye, the American Library Association’s executive director of public policy and advocacy, said “Libraries really can’t afford to buy as many digital books as they should be buying,” whilst print books are governed by copyright laws and so have totally different rules. In the UK, during the lockdown, publishers said they would either waive or reduce licence fees due to the unprecedented demand of e-books at the time. Unfortunately, this did not continue.

‘Library joy’

Of course, on the other side of this, there has been an increasing focus on protecting libraries, as we’ve heard. Only recently, a San Francisco Bay Area librarian supported T.S. Eliot’s motto, believing that libraries will save the world. Mychal Threets, who posts about “library joy” on TikTok, told ABC: “People are remembering their library, people are getting library cards or visiting their local library, they are thanking their library staff.”

“Libraries are one of the last third spaces, there are no expectations,” Threets said, referring to the theory by sociologist Ray Oldenburg that says that places beyond home and work are essential to people finding a sense of community. “The library is for everybody, where everybody belongs.”

Expert perspectives on the role and survival of libraries

Various experts weighed in on this issue, each offering unique insights into the role of libraries in modern society. Joshua Lisec, a renowned ghostwriter and persuasive writing coach, emphasises the essential role of libraries, particularly for children and budget-conscious adults. “Libraries are an experience for children and their parents… This is a routine we as a society will not relinquish,” the “So Good They Call You a Fake” author told How To Be Books.

Read: Britain’s public libraries to offer ‘warm banks’ this winter

Scott Lieberman, founder of www.TouchdownMoney.com and a veteran in publishing and finance, points out the evolving nature of libraries. He believes in their survival due to their adaptability, noting that “today’s libraries go beyond being a repository of books,” offering a variety of free services and resources, including digital literature and a conducive environment for remote and hybrid work.

Meanwhile, T. Alan Horne, author of “Advent 9,” presents a more controversial view. He suggests that while physical libraries might become obsolete, the role of librarians will not. Horne asserts, “Curation of books is something the internet cannot do, and that humans will never trust AI to do for them.” He underlines the human element in literature curation and the invaluable guidance librarians provide, which is where technology may fall short.

Emma Rose, founder of Imperative Press Books, offers a passionate argument to the library’s central role in community life. She describes it as “the heart and soul of my community,” a hub for art, culture, social interaction, and a safe space for all. Her experience reveals the profound personal and communal impact libraries have.

Read: Charity launches support scheme for struggling libraries amid cuts

Similarly, Mo Falomo Au.D, an audiologist and co-founder of Falhouse Publishing, stresses the importance of libraries as community cornerstones, advocating for their adaptability and inclusivity. She also recalls her own experience of volunteering at food pantries through her mother’s influence.

However, she also highlights the need for a diverse librarian workforce to reflect and serve the community effectively. Current data underscores a notable disparity in diversity within this profession. For example, in the United States, 87.8% of the 179,000 employed librarians are White, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019. This demographic does not mirror the diverse composition of the US population.

Community engagement and the essential role of libraries

In our recent Mastodon poll looking at the future of libraries, the responses painted a varied but predominantly optimistic picture. Of the 133 respondents, only 10% believed libraries would become obsolete, while a resounding 89% disagreed, with the remainder expressing mixed views.

A user raised concerns about the erosion of information democracy, noting, “I feel the democratisation of information is purposely being eroded. Libraries are generally public funded, so it’s an easy target to strangle, unlike Wikipedia.”

A respondent shared a personal observation: “Depending on politics, libraries can dwindle or flourish.” They cited their local library in Belgium, which offers diverse services, including a board game lending section, and hosts community events like vegetable and plant swaps, showcasing the library’s role in community life.

A poignant example from a more rural area highlighted the indispensable role of libraries: “In my community there’s no vet, no doctor, no dentist, no one uses SMS or email and there are no traffic lights, but there’s a library.” Hence, this encapsulates the library’s unique position as a vital source of resources and information, even in the most underserved areas.

The future of libraries

What we have gathered is that libraries will indeed survive in some shape or form, but there is a need for them to evolve, adapt, and continue serving as vital community resources, nurturing inclusivity, learning, and cultural enrichment. The future of libraries lies in their ability to integrate digital resources, maintain their role as community hubs, and foster diversity within their staff to reflect and serve their communities better. It will require the collective effort of the entire community to achieve this, as finding a middle ground is essential in reducing the cost of e-books. Moreover, the continued use of these services by more people demonstrates that there is still a vital need for them. So, this weekend, take some time out and visit your local library.

Suswati Basu

Suswati Basu is a writer, journalist, editor, and activist residing in London. She has written for the Guardian, Huffington Post and the F-Word blogs, and has worked for various media outlets such as the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV News/ITN. She was most recently Head of Audience and Deputy Editor at NationalWorld. She writes for other publications such as ReadWrite. Founder and editor of How To Be Books, as well as chief fact checker. Need to get in touch? Find us at: [email protected].