Libraries in the digital age

By Ying-Chun Wang

As the world moves into the digital age, libraries are not exempted from changes and must constantly adapt to the new online world. Although the new technologies affect the ways of how general public search for information and may challenge the existence of public libraries, the internet is also a tool for libraries to use to their advantages. The internet can be used in a way that benefits the libraries, especially when gathering feedback or garnering publicity for library resources. In other words, libraries are also “going viral for survival” (American Libraries Magazine). A good example is the video clip “Libraries will survive” created by the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Up to today, there are more than 200,000 viewers for this Youtube video clip, including short and long versions.

In addition to Youtube, other platforms such as Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Tumbler, etc. are also libraries’ favorite media tools where they try to engage followers in conversations, answering questions and spreading out the library news. At my own neighborhood library, for instance, new accounts for Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube have been opened. To me, this is the greatest evidence and proud confirmation that libraries are trying and will thrive in the digital age.

https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://img.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/files/2013/08/MLK-Digital-Commons-92-1.jpg&w=1484

Work cited:

Dankowski, Terra. “HowLibraries Are Using Social Media: Expanding online toolkits to promote advocacy.”  American Library Magazines, 16 July. 2013  Web. 3 April 2015.