Are Libraries Still Relevant? | Liz Bartlett | TEDxCaryWomen

Do we still dewey decimal? Are libraries obsolete in the 21st century digital age? Find out how libraries have transformed over the years and what this librarian believes to be the future of community libraries everywhere. Liz Bartlett is a second-generation Librarian, so libraries are in her blood! Growing up in an Air Force family, her family moved continuously, changing households 12 times in 17 years. Liz found it hard to make friends in each new home, so she often took refuge in reading and hence has always been an avid reader.
After college, she tried teaching, but realized it wasn’t her calling. She moved to North Carolina to pursue a degree in Library Science and earned her MLS at UNC Chapel Hill. She began her career as a Children’s Librarian in Louisburg then became a manager in Wake County library locations Garner, Wendell, and Cary. She has served as the committee chair of WCPL’s annual Storytelling Festival and Staff Development Day events. Liz also participated in the State Library’s Quiz Bowl Committee for several years.
She is currently the Library Manager for the brand new Cary Regional Library in Downtown Cary.
www.wakegov.com/libraries/loca... This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@punkseth1]

Libraries are the schools we need!!!

[@mufradhossain8883]

A great presentation regarding Library. After hearing this, I found the library is essential as a hospital. Though the services of some libraries are still questionable, some others are really providing great services. The authority of the library needs to be more conscious about the relevance between their services and the user's demand towards them. If they think about this matter properly, the question regarding the library will be irrelevant. Overall, Liz's discussed services will be the motivation to ensure proper library facilities.

[@amyraley6679]

I know a number of ppl that would go to the library nearly everyday except it's not open when we get off work. In our small rural town, our librarian is given no support to extend the hours or services offered. She has done it all on her own. But she can't work 90 hours a week.

[@JayWilliams310876]

I work a college library. Most of our subscribers are children, youth from outside the district. They moved hundreds of kilometres just to access better education resources, seeing as many of their schools and rural communities do not have resources such as libraries. As has been stated by others, libraries provide a nuanced set of services, provide a space for community gathering. And thats something that "digital resources" cannot do.

[@jaeepandit8129]

Very nice creative thinking. Loved the talk. Thank you. You inspired me in my life path for the rest of my life. Im convinced now why i must do b lib. Which i was oscillating between whether or not...thanks ❤

[@EntertainmentExamined]

Very interesting stuff to think about.

[@jims1812]

Libraries are a resource for the poor,old ,isolated as well as families .My local library even helped 2 homeless women and I use to play scrabble there..Unfortunately our government cuts funding to local authorities who then have to cut services.Who benefits from the savings-those who have the largest incomes in tax cuts.Last year our county Hampshie UK closed 14 libraries fortunately not mine -yet.We always hear at election times how our politicians care about our services and then we see them do the opposite.I'm really worried about the future of our libraries(especially small ones) and the lack of real connectedness of our society.Sadly my local library is closed at the moment because of covid and I imiss it.

[@Scarshadow666]

My worries as well! Libraries are super important and should not be taken for granted (especially when there's some closing, and a lot of affordable third-spaces are dwindling). I'm also worried there's people that just don't care (either out of prefering the convenience of their own Internet/buying books, or they just don't have the patience to wait for a book to be available while on the library hold queue). It's especially worrying as more and more people become isolated in their day-to-day lives... 0_0

[@jimmybellmon1268]

The Library is expanding, but print books are declining.

[@jackihavens]

libraries also provide e-books and audio books at no cost to patrons, so it's not only about physical books!

[@jimmybellmon1268]

@@jackihavens i know that's why I separated library from print books

[@idajain]

I run a library at my own investment n expense, but I am very conscientious that people go out with a book each time... A paper book.. a hardcopy. .. it's a toy renting primarily.. so due to temptation for toys, parents of kids as young as 6 month take a book n read.

[@solacebelove470]

I wonder does your library have teen only room? I would love to lure more teens into libraries for relaxation and get them to read Emma and Taming of the Shrew.

[@vedantsridhar8378]

Without watching a single part of the video, I can guarantee that the answer will be yes

[@thedigitallibr]

Smiles... In today's Digital World, Do Libraries and Librarians still have anything to offer?

[@JayWilliams310876]

If a sense of community, via a library, charity or community centre , has been reduced to a mere old-fashioned relic, then we have much much more to be concerned.

[@LOLERXP]

TEDx: 30 mil subs "Are Libraries Still Relevant?" 10k views in a whole year. I think the public's verdict is in.

[@SaschaHusenbeth]

if you take this as your metric for a public verdict, why not claim instagram models to be more important than doctors? there are many talks about important topics that do not reach a large audience for numerous reasons.

[@JayWilliams310876]

If a sense of community, via a library, charity or community centre , has been reduced to a mere old-fashioned relic, then we have much much more to be concerned about regarding "the public's verdict" than just a "low video view rating".

[@jessieallen8296]

No cost books? The taxes on my home are like paying rent for something I own. For something irrelevant.

[@penny4thought168]

Books aren't the only resource a library offers.

[@oggyreidmore]

You're paying for the luxury of living in a society. The power grid, the water supply, the roads and infrastructure, the city services. It costs money. If you got rid of all the libraries in your city, your property tax bill would barely budge. Your community would be worse for what? To save a couple pennies? You want to defund something useless that would make a difference in your property tax bill? Try the police department. They get half your tax money.

[@dlarge6502]

​@@penny4thought168like what? Internet access? I have that a home and in my pocket. A place to dump the kids? Well I don't have any. In my town the library is open part time and usually unstaffed. The books it has are few, you have to request most books are pulled out of the warehouse.

[@jessieallen8296]

From clay tablets, to books, to computers and the internet. We have evolved. Like block buster. I now order my movies on line. My books, on line. Sigh , why are we paying enormous taxes to keep the caves with the clay tablets open?

[@matthewelisha1579]

Because not everyone can afford the online movies and books you purchase directly. It provides services to underserved populations. I don't know about you, but I don't buy every book that I want to read. It is great to check it out of the library either in print or digitally, so I can read the book and be informed without having to buy every item. As to your taxes, the library expense is usually a very small line item compared to all the other public services that come from your tax bill. It is well worth the small expense to have an informed and educated public. Libraries help this this mission.

[@WynnMary]

I frequent the library with my two children. We enjoy countless storytimes, zumbini dance classes, and make crafts! I also tutor children there and check out books for my family and self! Libraries are the vital heart of a community. A place of discovery. A library can be anything you need it to be, anything you want, anything at all! But you don't have to take my word for it, 🙂

[@nikoappsmuggred7220]

irrelevent, no one needs libraries appart from the very small minority.. like.. a minority smaller then LGBT..

[@penny4thought168]

Nope, not at all. There are people who are poor. Those who can't afford a stable internet connection, devices, or don't have the money to spend whenever they want something new to read. Now, let's look at kids. Kids, especially teens, are already losing a lot of places. It's almost like they're not allowed to exist unless they're paying for a service. Libraries give kids and teens a safe place to hang out and learn. Not to mention libraries are amaizing for parents if young children who breeze through books left and right.