An interesting read on the Calgary library here:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...937/story.html
From the article:
Quote:
"Libraries are not about format," Hardy says. "We're not about books - we're about readers and reading and learners and learning.
And all that kind of stuff. I think if we remember that, and our customers remember that, they'll understand . . . what libraries are about and will continue to be about that in the future."
What's surprising is that these days, libraries are not only good for you and your kids, they're also kind of fun.
"When you talk about kids and their world today," Hardy says, "when you talk about planning for the future of the Calgary Public Library - we are planning the library that they will remember in their childhood."
And what's even more heartening to discover is that while libraries around the world - including Calgary's - have been reinventing themselves to adapt to the digital revolution, they are also transforming themselves through the vision and needs of the people they serve.
"In Canada, we lead in programming - especially in Calgary," Hardy says.
"You don't come to the library to ask about what's the population of Uganda or anything like that. You don't have to do that anymore - so the way that we provide information has changed, and I think programming is a part of that.
"We really carefully select the programs that we do, for adults and for kids, and it's based on community needs and what's relevant at the time."
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EDIT: The Calgary library is celebrating its 100th birthday. There are some articles about the library, its purpose and future here:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/search/...html?q=library