Iowa and the structure of libraries
The structure of libraries across the country is heavily influenced by the changing expectations of both the users and the institutions or communities in which the libraries are affiliated. This statement, albeit a simple one, has an underlying implication that continues to pack quite a punch in the development of how people understand and interact with libraries. Libraries are often taken for granted and greatly misunderstood. However, is this the users fault through a lack of interest and laziness or is it a lapse in a given library's marketing strategy? To provide better insight into how to answer this question, a deeper look at the workings of and events surrounding a few select libraries in the state of Iowa is in order.
Believe it or not, but it is communities such as those in Council Bluffs, Iowa where a great development in the digital sphere is taking place. Iowa Western Community College has approached the challenge of going digital versus maintaining the traditional physical library by throwing in another variable. "This new library is part of a $13 million student center that also features a culinary arts lab and a dining area with room to seat 400-plus--twice the seating capacity of the old facility in Ashley Hall" (Rohwer). A dining hall in a library? That is a crazy notion when compared to the image most individuals have of libraries, but it is this innovativeness that is allowing libraries to survive in an atmosphere where change is beating down the door. "With the fall semester ready to start, Iowa Western students will use the resources found in the cyberlibrary in the new student center. 'There are no books,' Kinney said. 'Everything will be on databases online. We are not going to buy any more books. The existing books are being distributed to their respective academic departments"' (Rohwer).
A library without a physical collection is a frightening concept to many of the more orthodox librarians. However, this practice does have its perks. The public library in Ceder Rapids Iowa may have had an altogether different experience back in the summer of 2008 if the majority of their contents had been stored safely on a digital library interface. "Flooding in Ceder Rapids, IA, caused the Cedar Rapids Public Library (CRPL) to suffer significant water damage. The floodwaters reached five feet shelves on the library's ground floor, destroying the entire adult collection, but the children's collection on the library's second floor likely will be saved" (Blumenstein, Oder). There was a considerable amount of damage to not only the main public library but homes, museums, and special libraries. Unfortunately, the damage done to the library building has forced the library staff to operate out of a local mall, but it is through this tragedy that the library has been able to declare an important message. "'We think that library programs are important, and even in this cramped mall space we're doing more of them now. We have book discussions, programs for young adults, and a lot for children,' says Hoke, who sets up much of the programming at CRPL" (Berry III, 30). At the end of the day, marketing through advertising and keeping users aware of services is what allowed this library to stay afloat long after they lost their original physical identity.
Providing further encouragement to the digital push is the issue of open access, more specifically how open libraries want that access to be. Iowa is currently facing a very tricky debate spurred by the presence of sex-offenders and how their rights interact with the principles of an open access system. In the end, it was the digital library that allowed for a decision to be made that did not compromise the integrity of an open access system but kept patrons feeling safe about their library surroundings. "While board members agree with Spencer Public Library staff that homebound deliveries would not be allowed, it was clarified that they would be able to access the library's Wilbor and EbscoHost systems. The online systems allow users to download audiobooks and to access full-text articles from magazines, scientific journals, newspapers and reference books" (Todd).
The short tour through Iowa leads to an important question: Does going digital insure a smooth transition into dealing with issues such as convenience for the users, marketing, and open access? The short answer is yes, but without looking at the individual examples and situations facing library institutions everywhere, the long and more important resolution of understanding what libraries do will continue to be ignored.
Works Cited
Blumenstein, Lynn and Norman Oder. Flooding in Iowa, Especially Cedar Rapids, Damages Libraries. LibraryJournal.com, 20 Jun. 2008. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6570322.html>.
Rohwer, Tim. Library opens new chapter. World-Herald News Service, 15 Aug. 2010. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. http://www.omaha.com/article/20100815/NEWS01/708159810.>
Todd, Kris. Library considers sex offender law impact. The Daily Reporter, 16 Jun. 2009. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1547582.html>.
Berry III, John N. "After the flood, CRPL buoys the community." Library Journal Jan. 2009: 28-30. Print.
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