By Bella Mansfield
Studies show that the use of public
libraries has increased in recent years due to the incorporation of latest
technology, and librarians are working hard to accommodate with the changing
times.
In the past, public libraries were a
quiet place to read books or do work, but recent changes have allowed them to
become more versatile.
Annemarie McMillian, 80, spent a lot
of her youth in public libraries reading.
“It was the place to go when you
needed absolute silence. In the library in my neighborhood, the books were
locked behind a gate and only the librarian could go back and get one for you.
It was a lot different than public libraries nowadays,” said McMillian.
Mimsy Hasler is the head youth
services librarian as the Ames Free Library on 53 North Main St. in Easton,
Massachusetts. She has worked in the library for four years.
“Despite the fact that I am a
librarian, I hate sitting in silence. That is such an outdated idea for
libraries, public libraries are very dynamic. In fact, it tends to not be very
quiet here most of the time,” said Hasler.
The Ames Free Library was
established in 1883, and since then has acquired almost 55,000 books in its
collection. However, books are not the main attraction for public libraries
anymore.
“Libraries are a place for
communities to come together, our main goal is to supply people with
information for free. Assuming that libraries are only storage for books is
wrong. We will play with all of the
options, as long as it fits our goal,” said Hasler.
According to the American Library
Association, studies report that in 2014 there was over 1.5 billion in-house
visits to public libraries. They also reported that in 2012 there was 340.5
million people using public access computers in libraries
“I actually go to public libraries
pretty often. I’ve been going to them ever since I was little, there was one
right down the street from me so it was cool to be able to go hang out in the
teen space or just use the computers,” said Kaylee Desmond, a freshman at
Stonehill College.
Access to the internet is not
something everyone has, so public libraries making the internet more accessible
has been the main goal.
“Here, we provide information that
can be found not just in books, but in other services like e-books, access to
the internet, tablets. We even provide people with the ability to check out
wifi hotspots so they can connect to the internet outside of the library,” said
Hasler.
With societies increasing dependency
on technology, many people frequent public libraries for the convenient access
to equipment.
“If you are lucky enough to not need
a library, then good for you, but I think people often forget that not everyone
has a computer. We call it the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots,
which is why it is so crucial we continue to incorporate new developments in
technology,” said Hasler.
The Ames Free Library is also
connected to the Queset House, the building next door which was bought and
renovated by the library a few years ago. Here, the library runs a digital
media lab open to the public every day.
Ian Dunbar is the assistant director
librarian in the Ames Free Library, but works mainly in the Queset House
helping with the activities that take place there.
“The building is self-sufficient,
which I love. Here we focus on creating and sharing information, and we have a
wide-range of frequenters here,” said Dunbar.
Hasler and Dunbar agree that public
libraries are changing to keep up with the times, but both are excited about
the new opportunities for the library.
“It’s a common misconception that
library usage is dwindling. It is true that technology is changing how people
use the internet, and a great part about the Queset House is here people can
come in just to use the internet. We have free wifi, gaming systems,
projectors, and computers,” said Dunbar.
The Queset House offers people the
option to rent out rooms to hold media presentation in, or just general group
meetings. They have a multitude of crafting groups that come in weekly to meet
and use the buildings sewing machines and other supplies.
The main library also hosts events
every week that help promote the facility and encourage people to stop by.
Knitting groups, book clubs, and story time are all popular events.
“I have regulars who come with their
kids just for story time in the kid center. After, the children usually like to
play with the tablets we have or even look at all of the books, some of them
even check a couple out. It’s funny, people will come in only looking to use a
computer, but will stumble upon a book and that’s all it takes,” said Hasler.
There are other ways people are
encouraged to go to the public library. Teachers often require students to use
books from libraries in research papers or other assignments.
“Honestly, I’m not a big visitor of
libraries. The last time I went to a public library was to check out a book on
whales for a project in second grade. I go to the library at school a lot,
mostly to do homework or study,” said Stephanie Bryson, a freshman at Stonehill
College.
The problem with continuing to
update public libraries is a lack of funding for technology. Certain laws put
in place years ago require libraries to spend a majority of their funding on
books.
“We have to fight for technology.
Our desktop computers in the main building are notoriously terrible, but there
are weird laws that prevent us from spending our funds on new equipment. If I
had the chance, I would spend more money on technology than books. I know it
sounds crazy coming from a librarian, but it’s just keeping up with the times,”
said Hasler.
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