There’s always something new at the Library!

You know, it’s hard to keep up with the changes in the world around us, especially when it involves technology. The Library has no choice but to try to offer what’s new and what’s good to our patrons. That’s why every few years or so, we must begin to provide new formats. Many years ago, libraries offered 35 mm films and filmstrips – even in my librarian lifetime!! Then we had the Beta and VHS video war, with VHS as the winner. Now everything is on DVD.

A similar scenario has unfolded for music. We had records, reel-to-reel recordings, then 8-tracks, then cassette tapes, and now compact discs. Our music collection is now exclusively on cds, and we all have even more choices via the Internet.

For our audiobook collection, we’ve been offering both cassette tapes and compact discs for quite a while. For our film collection, we still have videos, but most purchases of new materials are on dvd.

The time is getting closer when we must discontinue some formats, in order to maximize our space and our collection budget. When we make the hard decisions, we know that some of our patrons will be disappointed. Of course we cannot carry multiple formats forever. The world changes – people’s needs change – and so the library must change.

The computer has changed our lives and the library. But it has not diminished the need for books, especially those for recreational reading. We’ll have books around for quite a while. Many other things will evolve, and we’ll adjust and accommodate and regroup. The library survives – and thrives!

Sue Blechl, Director
blechls@emporialibrary.org