With the rise of the internet, the recent popularity of e-books and the prevalence of smartphones in today's society, are the days of the public library numbered? Absolutely not, according to Ryan Livergood, Director of Libraries for the Town of Arlington and Treasurer of the Massachusetts Library Association. Libraries are busier than ever, and Ryan believes the public library has never been more vital to the community it serves. Ryan will tell the story of how today's 21st century library is different from the library of the 20th century, and the stories of individuals that are using today's libraries to improve their lives. He will also discuss how the story of today's library parallels the story of the rapidly changing world we live in today...how not just libraries, but all organizations, will have to adapt to meet the changing habits and needs of the individuals we serve.

1.
It’s Not Your Father’s Library
Ryan Livergood"
Director of Libraries"
Town of Arlington

2. ● How today’s 21st century library is
different from the library of the 20th
century"
● Why libraries are more vital than ever"
● Stories of two very different library users"
● The two game changers that will not just
impact library services, but all other
services as well.

3. 20th century
● Place to go to check out books"
● Reference and research"
● Place to take children for early literacy
skills"
● “The people’s university” and a pillar of
democracy: freedom of speech, freedom
to read, patron privacy

7. After

11. By Rockwood, George Gardner, 1832-1911 -- Publisher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

13. Today’s library: “More popular than
iPhone 5”

16. By the numbers:
Patrons checked out 489,248 books; 86,094 videos
and DVDs; 56,490 compact discs and cassettes;
and over 39,000 print periodicals, e-books,
audiobooks, museum passes and other materials."
"
Over 25,000 people attended 492 programs that
were held for Children and Young Adults."
"
Every week almost 900 users used the libraries’
computers to access the Internet.

17. By the numbers:
"
More than 97,000 questions were answered by
reference librarians."
"
1,180 people attended programs and book groups
for Adults."
"
Over 25,000 residents of Arlington have library
cards.

30. What will the future of libraries look like?
(or, what keeps me up awake at night)

36. Two major game changers that will impact
not just library service, but all services

37. But first, a few individual stories:

38. Ryan, Age 37
• Digital Immigrant"
• Grew up in an analog
world"
• Grew up consuming
books and television"
• Remembers the world
before internet and cell
phones

39. Kyle, Age 9 months
• Digital Native"
• Growing up in digital
world"
• Always have access to
the internet"
• Will likely grow up
creating videos and
writing online

40. Leads us to our first game
changer…

41. Rise of digital natives

42. Digital Natives / Digital Immigrants

43. Digital natives are creators, not
consumers

45. Game changer #2…

50. According to Pew Internet
Research…
●“When asked what device they
normally use to access the internet,
25% of smartphone owners say
that they mostly go online using
their phone, rather than with a
computer.”

51. How do we deal with these game
changers?

52. Libraries anytime, anywhere,
everywhere

54. Create local content

55. Skokie Public Library via Flickr

56. Skokie Public Library via Flickr

57. Foster a collaborative, engaging,
and fun culture

58. Digitas Photos via Flickr

59. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

60. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

61. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

62. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

63. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

64. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

65. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

66. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

67. Oak Park Public Library via Flickr!

68. Community Connection

72. Thank you! Any questions?
● http://robbinslibrary.org"
● E-mail: rlivergood@minlib.net