Dr. Wendy Schultz is clueless. Another armchair librarian speculating about the future of libraries, when she likely hasn't actually helped a real live patron in decades...the reality is that libraries have become a haven for homeless street people and others who cannot afford a computer of their own....not brandy-drinking, cigar-smoking dilettantes. And frankly, I'm glad that's how our role in the community has evolved, because there aren't many so-called public places where they are welcome any more.
The Iceberg article hit the nail on the head, in my opinion. Its author suggested that librarians need to take a more humble approach to make libraries a place people want to be in the future. Historically we've portrayed ourselves as the lofty keepers of society's information resources, requiring that consumers come to us on our turf for the passkey, but guess what! Now any person of average intelligence or more can find it on their own, so who needs us? Just look at the stereotypes of librarians in the movies - they really show how much we need to improve our image in the public eye.
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