Impact of the Internet in Libraries

Libraries have always been a place to store information and a “symbol of human intellectual achievement” ¹. They still are these things, but after the Internet came to be, one of their main purposes has been to provide access to information ¹. The Internet has made a huge impact on our lives in so many ways. We can now shop, chat with people, share photos, watch TV, and do so many other things online. Just as the Internet has had such a huge impact on our lives, it has also had a huge impact on the libraries. Most do not realize how much the Internet has changed the way that libraries function. It has opened up a vast amount of resources and information for librarians and patrons to use and access. Librarians are now expected to embrace the information cycle that is the Internet, to provide Internet access to connect people with the information they need, to help make accessing information through the Internet more organized, to become involved in policy decisions concerning Internet resources, and to be involved with the development of tools and resources to use the Internet effectively ².

“The Internet is an invaluable tool in nearly every organization. An organization that cannot utilize Internet both as a productivity tool and as a marketing tool may have a tremendous disadvantage” ³. This is definitely true for libraries. Not only has the Internet been important for libraries in the fact that it helps with finding information and allowing patrons access to the library’s catalogs, but it is also important in the fact that libraries are in competition with other places, in so many ways. The Internet is what the public wants, so it needs to be given to them. If libraries are not going to provide it to them, patrons will go elsewhere to find it, and not support the library. Libraries need to provide Internet services to give the patrons, as well as themselves, access to the library catalog and other information they are looking for. Not only does the Internet provide the public with access to a library’s catalog, but it also provides other important information, such as their mission statement, hours of operation, and other services ¹. This is helpful because this information can be accessed from anywhere at any time and is very convenient.

The Internet has greatly helped librarians when it comes to doing research and for storing important information. They are now able to search the Internet for electronic and digital resources, as well as use it for more simpler things, such as e-mailing or teleconferencing ². Computers and Internet now also help libraries store, organize, and preserve important information ². Preservation is become popular lately. “As society becomes increasingly more digital more information resides on the Internet, and focus on storage and preservation” ². Many libraries have started digitizing projects and working to make their materials digital and accessible on computers and over the Internet. This is great because it may preserve the information for a longer period of time, and it makes the information more accessible to more people.

In addition to public libraries, the Internet has also affected school libraries as well. Computer systems have helped and improved teaching and learning in schools ³. Presentations, videos, and web sites from the Internet assist teachers in their instruction ³. These things are applicable among all levels of learning, but then there are also more complicated tools such as web-based classes and list-serves that can be applied at the college level and above ³. School libraries offer students many services via the Internet that they can use while they are in the library as well as at home, such as access to the library support staff, databases, web discussions, syllabi, and course readings ³. These are services that we have probably all utilized before, especially accessing databases through a school library. If this service was not available, students would have to track down physical journals to find an article they are looking for.

Many people believe that the Internet will be the downfall of libraries eventually. Maybe there are some people who just use Google themselves instead of asking for help from a librarian. But the reality is that the Internet complements the services that libraries provide. With all of the new tools being created (the Internet, word processors, etc.) the public will always need someone (librarians) to help them with these tools.. Many librarians feel that the Internet provides new opportunities for libraries and that it facilitates the need for new skills ².

__________________________________
¹Soomroo, Sheein Gul (2000). Libraries of New Millenium. Pakistan Library Bulletin, 31(3/4), 34-8.

²Soomroo, Sheein Gul (2001). The Librarian and Internet. Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal, 32(1/2), 1-16.

³Hou, Feng-Hsiung (2003). A Research on the Impact of Internet Use in American Elementary School Libraries. Journal of Education Media & Library Sciences, 40(3), 299-308.