by: Diane Benjamin
According to Mayor Renner, the total circulation at the Bloomington Public Library has increased from 600,000 to 1,500,000 from 2005 to 2012. The bad economy may be the reason, but an analysis of why hasn’t been done. Regardless, the Library Board thinks they need to build an east side annex.
A new library opened last week in San Antonio Texas, except it doesn’t have ANY books. It’s all digital. It has computers, Ipads, and E-readers.
Instead of checking out books, digital books and readers are checked out. Below are links to 2 stories about the new library:
http://www.foxsanantonio.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_17285.shtml
http://nation.time.com/2013/09/13/a-bookless-library-opens-in-san-antonio/
First, should an analysis be done as to why the circulation skyrocketed? Is it going to continue to increase or will it decrease?
Second, shouldn’t going digital be studied? Digital books have also seen dramatic increases in usage. Besides, they don’t take nearly as much room. Nothing could be more tragic than an empty public building 15 years from now because the Board guessed the future trends wrong.
I would like to know some of the demographics of who is utilizing the library, and how. Are they using library computers or just wi-fi for personal internet or reading digital books, reading books in the library and/or checking them out etc.
Facts would be nice!
I think using the computer to search digital library is a super idea, but need to do indepth study first, make sure all the !! t’s !! are crossed and !! I,s !! are doted