How did Libraries get to this point?

. . . . my rambling thoughts about the relationship between change and the needy state of many libraries . . .

Change is inherent in living organisms, which if they were not changing would be dead. Change has always been part of cultures.

I think the panic in libraries is that we have been somewhat removed from change, and it has been thrust upon us. Libraries have enjoyed some immunity from change because of their revered stature in communities. For a while, that worked to the advantage of the library, because criticism of the hallowed institution was unthinkable. So although the library as an institution became more and more removed from relevancy, it was still the only show in town when it came to information.

Then came the Internet, Google, and a do-it-yourself culture which no longer thought it needed a professional information place. The situation has been further exacerbated by a history of acceptance of too little library funding. Libraries enjoy much good will, but good will does not buy a contemporary image that can compete in the 21st century. Modernization of many library buildings was already 10-20 years behind. Now, with the added need to fund technology and technologically literate staff, libraries are unable to fill the needs of their communities that can best be filled by a healthy library.

Libraries are struggling – admirably at best and frantically at worst. Through public funding, communities still maintain them as honored shrines, but are unable to fund the cost of exemplary buildings and service that many desire.