Why we're still vital...

Libraries came into existence when books were expensive, difficult to copy, and often irreplaceable. The ability to gather them in one place was beneficial, as it allowed these materials to be shared among lots of people. Books were now indexed, grouped together, and protected. Ever wonder why some of our oldest libraries look a lot like fortresses? Well, it's because they were.

                                                                                                          Bodleian Library (Google Images)

Over time, libraries played more roles than just gatherers of books. Libraries became guardians of knowledge and curators. In their role as curators, libraries curated information for their owners, communities, and the world at large. As the amount of information increased, the need for people trained in the art of the search became more and more vital. No one has the time to search through vast collections to answer their question.

Librarians started apprenticing for degrees in information science, learning all about how to find things. They also dedicated themselves to a commitment of neutrality or, at least, an absence of bias. Fast forward to today, and the idea of libraries and their commitment to collecting materials and expertly guiding them might seem quaint or even obsolete. I mean, we have the World Wide Web, right?

The Web has search engines that quickly and effortlessly index the information it contains. This leaves libraries only with the task of digitizing their materials. But is it really?

“Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.” 

– Neil Gaiman.

Libraries remain necessary for free and open societies. And not just because their services of curation to preservation to research remain in high demand by scholars. In a broader sense, libraries complement the Web. Here's why.

The Web makes information easily available and copied. However, it's also easily corrupted or destroyed. How many times have you clicked on a link only to find a 404-Not-Found error at the end of it? I know I've encountered this far too many times. The reason is simple. Links rot; sources evaporate.

And what about the increasing problem of misinformation and Fake News? The Web allows anyone to post anything. Companies and volunteers are facing an unwinnable battle against misinformation and ensuring that inaccurate posts are taken down.

The preservation of truth is important, now more than ever. Libraries, such as ours, house centuries of information, history, and truth. Libraries are important defenders in the fight against misinformation.

By: Rachel Seidner, Research Librarian