The Purpose of Libraries

Henry, Robin, "Have We Lost Our Way? Examining the Purpose of Libraries in a Post-Literate Society", Library Media Connection, Vol. 28 No. 1, p. 30-31, Aug/Sep 2009, viewed 7 Aug 2012.

I downloaded and read Robin Henry's article as part of an exercise given to the class by Maria, looking at the philosophy and purpose of libraries. Although I did not use the article as part of my answer to the exercise, I was interested in what the article talked about - the dumb acceptance by people that the Internet has all the answers and the current lack of critical thinking and discussion.

Ms Henry contends that there is a difference between knowledge and information. Knowledge requires us to inquire, to think critically and to judge the accuracy and value of the information. Information is merely data with no particular use until placed into context.

Reading is the foundation skill for gaining knowledge and libraries need to emphasize their expertise in helping patrons to successfully search for information and in teaching them to evaluate and use that information, i.e. knowledge. Ms Henry wants libraries and more importantly, librarians to go back to their core purpose by offering services related to personal growth, education, searching skills and interpretive skills.

The printed book may be declining in use (or not) but there will always be other technologies to replace them (or not), and libraries and librarians need to be at the forefront in using those technologies and showing the way, so that knowledge skills are not lost.