Riverside Brookfield High School Riverside Brookfield High School Vocational Fair 2009Vocational Fair 2009

Kimberly LitlandKimberly LitlandLibrary DirectorLibrary DirectorBrookfield Public LibraryBrookfield Public Library

Are Libraries Becoming Obsolete?Are Libraries Becoming Obsolete?

Occasional Occasional naysayers:naysayers:

““Libraries will be Libraries will be extinct by 2050”extinct by 2050”

Are Libraries Becoming Obsolete?Are Libraries Becoming Obsolete?

Ross Dawson’s extinction timeline:Ross Dawson’s extinction timeline:20092009: Mending things: Mending things20142014: Getting lost: Getting lost20162016: Retirement: Retirement20192019: Libraries: Libraries20202020: Copyright: Copyright20222022: Blogging, Speleeng, The Maldives: Blogging, Speleeng, The Maldives20302030: Keys: Keys20332033: Coins: Coins20362036: Petrol engined vehicles: Petrol engined vehicles20372037: Glaciers: Glaciers20382038: Peace & Quiet: Peace & Quiet20492049: Physical newspapers, Google: Physical newspapers, Google

Beyond 2050Beyond 2050: Uglyness, Nation States, Death: Uglyness, Nation States, Death

Far from ExtinctionFar from Extinction

Libraries continue Libraries continue to see exceptional to see exceptional climbs in climbs in attendance and attendance and usage.usage.

Why?Why?

95,852107,470

124,421

2005-06 2006-07 2007

148,393151,899

174,148

2005-06 2006-07 2007

Libraries Are Fantastic at EvolvingLibraries Are Fantastic at Evolving

LeadershipLeadership

AdaptationAdaptation

Technology and the Technology and the InternetInternet

People Return Again and Again…People Return Again and Again…

Democratization of knowledgeDemocratization of knowledge Not everyone can afford books (or the Not everyone can afford books (or the

Internet, CDs, DVDs)Internet, CDs, DVDs) We love the Internet….but it’s We love the Internet….but it’s

Subject to manipulationSubject to manipulationMessy / Poor qualityMessy / Poor qualityLack of authoritative, peer reviewed sourcesLack of authoritative, peer reviewed sources

Education, literacy, better test scoresEducation, literacy, better test scores CommunityCommunity

America’s LibrariesAmerica’s Libraries

How many?How many? Public libraries: 117,000Public libraries: 117,000

School libraries: 99,800School libraries: 99,800

College/University libraries:College/University libraries:3,6203,620

Special libraries: 9,100Special libraries: 9,100

Armed forces libraries: 300Armed forces libraries: 300

Government libraries: 1,200Government libraries: 1,200

Librarians….Who Are They Really?Librarians….Who Are They Really?

Information activistsInformation activists Questioners of authorityQuestioners of authority Organizers of proliferating Organizers of proliferating

worlds of information:worlds of information:

PrintPrint

ElectronicElectronic

Future?Future?

Speaking of Activists…Speaking of Activists…

Being a librarian is a radical choiceBeing a librarian is a radical choice Library Bill of RightsLibrary Bill of Rights Freedom of informationFreedom of information Defenders of citizen’s civil libertiesDefenders of citizen’s civil liberties Librarians in the political spotlight:Librarians in the political spotlight:

Root: Organization of KnowledgeRoot: Organization of Knowledge

Career Paths / SpecializationsCareer Paths / Specializations Public Services – Working with PeoplePublic Services – Working with People

ReferenceReference

Collections / AcquisitionsCollections / AcquisitionsInstruction/TrainerInstruction/TrainerGovernment DocumentsGovernment Documents

Technical Services – Working with Records & Technical Services – Working with Records & TechnologiesTechnologies

CatalogerCataloger

Systems/AutomationSystems/Automation

Interesting LibrariesInteresting Libraries Public LibrariesPublic Libraries School LibrariesSchool Libraries College/University LibrariesCollege/University Libraries Law LibrariesLaw Libraries Corporate LibrariesCorporate Libraries Theological LibrariesTheological Libraries Music LibrariesMusic Libraries Transportation LibrariesTransportation Libraries Topographical (Map) LibrariesTopographical (Map) Libraries Medical LibrariesMedical Libraries Rare books Libraries / ArchivesRare books Libraries / Archives Government LibrariesGovernment Libraries

Or, Don’t Work in a Library at AllOr, Don’t Work in a Library at All Software DeveloperSoftware Developer GamingGaming Information Technology ConsultantInformation Technology Consultant TrainerTrainer Library ConsultantLibrary Consultant Information ArchitectInformation Architect Digitization SpecialistDigitization Specialist

EducationEducation Masters in Library and Information Science Masters in Library and Information Science

from an ALA-Accredited institution:from an ALA-Accredited institution:

Illinois Illinois U of I, Urbana-ChampaignU of I, Urbana-ChampaignDominican UniversityDominican University

Librarian BlogsLibrarian Blogs The Shifted LibrarianThe Shifted Librarian Librarian in Black Librarian in Black Tame the WebTame the Web Tinfoil + RaccoonTinfoil + Raccoon Librarian’s Guide to EtiquetteLibrarian’s Guide to Etiquette

More InformationMore Information American Library AssociationAmerican Library Association Illinois Library AssociationIllinois Library Association Occupational Outlook HandbookOccupational Outlook Handbook

Any LibrarianAny Librarian

Hollywood LibrarianHollywood Librarian Trailer: Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8kd4fC1bwohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8kd4fC1bwo