Library of Things

An article in the NYT by Cara Buckley reporting from Brunswick, Maine, on August 20, got me on my favourite topic: Libraries.

- By NAN

Her title was "Why shop? In Maine, the Library of Things Has It All (Almost)". Again proof that libraries are living things in the sense they keep evolving. Remembered is the hot topic in the 1980s or thereabouts when computers were marching into libraries, as to whether books were going obsolete and librarians redundant. Neither occurred and some are of the opinion the book is gaining ground recently. Librarians are still around though libraries have changed very much.

"New library concepts focus on transforming them into dynamic community hubs and centers for innovation, emphasizing user-centered services and technological integration. Modern libraries offer flexible collaborative spaces, maker spaces with advanced technologies, and personalized digital and physical resources. They also serve as cultural centers, hosting community events and providing digital literary training, while adapting to new technologies like augmented reality and AI to enhance accessibility and user experience." (Internet)

Sri Lanka was and is conservative. If said minus euphemistic softening, we Lankans, specially of the older generations, are basically lazy and thus reluctant to innovate and change. Thus many libraries may still be silence insisting, quiet places where staff and clients tread softly with only books on shelves. But this is no longer a library. The very name has changed to resource centre, information centre, even social centre.