Embracing change

My mind won't stray too far into the future - I'm not into science fiction or fantasy, but change is already taking us outside the Library square. I don't see a library with no books - books are bright, colourful, attractive, informative - "Don't judge a book by its cover" - but isn't that the first appeal? "This looks a good book" - and I don't see myself curling up with a good computer.
The important goals for libraries of the future include reaching out into the community, embracing constant change and with an emphasis on sharing, making libraries the focal point of the community. Putting users together with information requires a technology which will meet the users' needs. In our digital lifestyle we have already MP3s, TV, Laptops, cell phones, cameras, ipods etc. From one of your links I found libraryjournal.com interesting and Web 2.0 features clearly defined. Ann Arbor District Library has turned its homepage into a blog where customers can share their favourite authors, titles, genres, write reviews, create tags and assign ratings. Customers always like to know what others are reading - just see how they browse the returns shelves. Philadelphia uses its blog for "news, events and discussion". Thus library users can participate in the services libraries offer and the way they are used. NSL is already on the way to embracing Web 2.0 and is implementing programmes e.g. information literacy, to encourage and support reading; is committed to providing access to good online resources, with realisable aims and objectives; is continually improving technology resources and access to electronic data e.g. Opacs, public internet computers, and is constantly upskilling staff to meet the challenge. North Shore Libraries is committed to providing space for people to meet. Our user education is resulting in our users issuing their own books, accessing the library website from home, requesting items and searching for information. We reach out into the community with local history and our housebound service. I'm sure we will be a New Age Library.