What role will “The Library” take in the future?

André da Loba via NYT

The New York Times has asked a group of librarians and scholars to debate the utility of the library in our modern society. As the way we interact with books changes, does the role of libraries need to change as well? What opportunities and responsibilities do public libraries face moving forward? You can read the debate on the Times website here: Do We Still Need Libraries?.

At Schwartz/Silver we firmly believe that the library has an important role in our communities. Planning for each library’s future means considering the institution’s goals, the patrons’ needs and including flexibility for what may come in the next decades. A recent project at our firm include a combined high school/community library that can shift with the needs of its users (Burke School and Combined Public Library); and we are currently working on a renovation to transform a Brutalist style college library into a more open, collaborative environment (Connecticut College, Shain Library).