The ancient Library of Alexandria was a working resource for scholars. The ancient image of a library as a place for scholars to collaborate, eat, read, and think continues even in the digital form. MIT News brought this interesting news to us in their article, “The once and future library.”
Libraries have long been places where information and society come together – even as they fluctuate. iPads have overtaken clay tablets and even the structure of the building has become virtual in many instances.
The changes are not complete. The future holds more as technology evolves and brings with it new opportunities.
These sweeping changes in information technology and to social behaviors surrounding reading and learning invariably affect the library’s edifice.
The 2016 recipient of the Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts at MIT is one of the preeminent architects responding to the changing needs of libraries. David Adjaye has revitalized public libraries for the 21st century, while maintaining their functions as communal spaces and cultural storehouses.
Melody K. Smith
Sponsored by Access Innovations, the world leader in thesaurus, ontology, and taxonomy creation and metadata application.
