Do We Still Need Libraries?

By Rick Chandler

Representatives of the Madison Public Library Foundation speak to many groups and civic organizations to spread the word about our activities. (If anybody needs a speaker for an event, just let us know.)

One question that invariably comes up at these events is, “In this day and age, do we still need libraries?”

The stated premise is that in our Internet and computer age, libraries are becoming irrelevant since so many people have laptops, netbooks, Smart phones, Kindles and other devices.

There also may be an unspoken premise behind this question:  Are library supporters meeting a real need, or are they perhaps just nostalgic for an institution whose time has passed?

There’s a clear answer to this question: The facts show emphatically that libraries are in greater demand than ever.

As an example, look at the dramatic figures for Madison’s new Sequoya Branch Library which replaced a 50-year-old structure. In 2009, the first year of operation for the new building, visits were up 23%, the number of items checked out increased 30%, the issuance of new library cards almost doubled, Internet use more than doubled, and attendance at programs and the usage of meeting rooms by the public soared.

The figures for the Madison Public Library system as a whole in 2009 also show steadily increasing usage. The figures for visits, items checked out, new library cards issued, Internet use, program attendance and meeting room use all increased, in some cases dramatically. Anybody who visits any of the library branches in Madison can see firsthand the steady buzz of activity. And nationwide, the trends are the same.

In particular, libraries today fill an essential need for patrons who may not have computers or Internet access at home and for children who participate in reading groups. They also serve people looking for job opportunities or wanting to upgrade their skills in a difficult economy.

Today information is more abundant and important than ever, and more people than ever are looking to public libraries to gain access to that information.  That means that support for libraries is more important than ever too.