1) The information ecosystem has dramatically changed from the industrial age to the information age, with information now being abundant, cheap, personally oriented and designed for participation rather than consumption. 2) This has disrupted libraries and challenged their role as key information institutions, as people now have many more options for accessing and sharing information through new digital technologies and online platforms. 3) For libraries to remain relevant, the document recommends that they embrace their role as hubs for information, social networking, and developing new media literacies to help people navigate the modern information landscape.

1. How libraries can survive in the new media ecosystem Lee Rainie – Director Pew Internet Project HELIN Library Consortium Bryant University January 14, 2009

3. "If you plopped a library down. . .30 years from now. . .there would be cobwebs growing everywhere because people would look at it and wouldn't think of it as a legitimate institution because it would be so far behind. . ." -- Experienced library user 1996 Benton Foundation report: “ Buildings, books, and bytes”

4. “ Many Americans would just as soon turn their local libraries into museums and recruit retirees to staff them.” 1996 Benton Foundation report: “ Buildings, books, and bytes”

5. New information ecosystem: Then and Now Industrial Age Info was: Scarce Expensive Institutionally oriented Designed for consumption Information Age Info is: Abundant Cheap Personally oriented Designed for participation

6. 2000 46% of adults use internet 5% with broadband at home 50% own a cell phone 0% connect to internet wirelessly <10% use “cloud” = slow, stationary connections built around my computer 2008 74% of adults use internet 58% with broadband at home 82% own a cell phone 62% connect to internet wirelessly >53% use “cloud” = fast, mobile connections built around outside servers and storage The internet is the asteroid: Then and now

8. … and the “long tail” becomes more important -- Chris Anderson Traffic Content 20%-40% of traffic or sales in the “long tail” Amazon, Rhapsody/iTunes, Netflix

11. … and people have more options for their passions -- Markus Prior

12. The internet rises in a fragmented media environment (% of all Americans who “regularly” go to news source: PRC People/Press) +1,850% -25% -52% +18% -41% -27%

13. Internet and broadband adoption 1995-2008 Internet users Broadband at home

17. Kaiser Family Foundation, Media Multitasking Among American Youth, December 2006

18. Kaiser Family Foundation, Media Multitasking Among American Youth, December 2006

30. Action item Think of yourself as a social network node for people looking for “friendsters” --- The internet is “personified” in some people’s lives and you can provide information and social support in the same ways social networks can