What the Internet can

Slide 14 of 16

The Internet gives people a great sense of connectness. Even in the smallest library in the most remote area people can feel in touch with the whole world. They can read articles from newspapers published on another continent just hours before, and they can know that the information is travelling across those miles to their screen at that very moment. This is a powerful technology.

At the same time, the library provides a place for information seeking. Many people feel that with online access to information we will no longer need a physical space that is the library. A physical space has a great social value, however. After all, you can pray anywhere you like, but we still value the gathering in a church or temple. A library is a recognition of the community support for information and continuing education. It provides a place where people can read or think or study without the distractions of home or office. And it responds to a very human need for a social connection.