critique 3_Tomorrow's Library: Discussion Paper

Tomorrow's Library: Discussion Paper (Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries (MAC), 2012) is a report from the Victorian State Government requesting submissions from library stakeholders, public and organizational on their perceptions and challenges to libraries. The report outlines the focus of the Victorian public library system in ensuring stakeholder contributions in the strategies and design of the future library. This report is part of section one of a two part review of the Victorian public library system and the effects of advancing technologies.

A running theme throughout is the importance of the library as a vital and important part of the community but that the ever emerging technologies and ever changing expectations of patrons needs to be addressed. 
The report is structured as a review of each section followed by ‘questions’ posed for stakeholders to engage with and submit answers to. Each section outlines the current status of the library system with the challenges that need to be addressed. The area that the reports focusses on are (MAC, 2012, p. 3):

• Collections, resources and programmes: the main areas of concern are: currency, availability of formats; costs – of information and technologies, ability to provide more than just information – training, services; taking these resources/services beyond the ‘bricks and mortar',
• Library buildings: the issues here deal with the need for the need for flexibility and adaptability of the physical library as it may in the future need to fulfil a number of roles for communities,
• Technology: the challenge here is people’s expectations to be able to access information and services at any given time and in any format. New technologies are allowing a wider choice for the library patron – self serve, online access to databases, ebook and audiobook delivery to mobile devices as well as the interoperability library systems themselves,
• Service delivery: This section highlights the need to review: role of library staff and the need for their skill base to adapt to the new technologies and related demands, with an interesting point about ‘ageing’ workforce and the need to attract replacements; accessing resources; changing demographics; and educating non patrons about what the library can do for them.

The report states that the role of the library has changed significantly (MAC, 2012, p. 2) although on the surface this may look true, the actuality is that libraries are still a central place for patrons to access information and knowledge, the advent and adoption of technologies has only enhanced the services and offerings. (Pew Research Center (Pew), 2013). Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA, 2013) report presents an ambitious forecast for the future of libraries predicting that by 2050 a ‘reconfiguring’ of interior structures to create a more interactive and creative space for patrons. (p. 25)

Pew research, reveals that patrons want both the traditional functions of a library with the added value of a ‘community space’ where they can access digital sources. Statistics appear to be outdated, despite the report being published in 2012 a simple search provides more current data than the ones quoted (MAC, 2012, pp.4, 6, 8, 10, 12) Public Libraries Victoria Network Inc and National State Libraries Australasia. The presumption here is that the quotes and data suit the tone of this report, or possibly that the report was written earlier than 2012.

The purpose of this report was to review the current status of the public library to ascertain what needs to be implemented for the future. Although MAC provides some solid criteria for further investigation, the nature of the report is such that it only touches upon the areas of challenge and that this is only an ‘introduction’ to the main study. (MAC, 2012, p. 13)

References
Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries. (2012). Tomorrow's Library: Discussion Paper. State Government of Victoria. Available at http://www.plvn.net.au/sites/default/files/TLTD002_Tomorrow's Library Discussion Paper final web.pdf

Australian Library and Information Association. (2013). Library and information services-the future of the profession: themes and scenarios 2025-Discussion Paper. Available at http://aliafutures.wikispaces.com/

National State Libraries Australasia. http://www.nsla.org.au/publication/annual-australian-public-library-statistics

Pew Research Center. (2013). Library Services in the Digital Age http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/library-services/

Public Libraries Victoria Network Inc http://www.plvn.net.au/node/18