It almost seems that libraries have become obsolete. But, no doubt, they are heaven for book lovers still. A favorite early library memory is the mobile version, the Book Mobile. Long summer days surrounded by books, what's more perfect than that? However, it would appear that the Internet has brought the library and books into the homes and the schools under another form. Students have not escaped the libraries; the libraries have been brought to them.

Although the library as we know it has changed somewhat, it's still the same old library it always was. It's just that it has gone on-line, as it should. Technology has caught up to the library and moved right on inside. The library has always been responsible for the storage of information. The key is being able to lay hands on the required documentation and computers have streamlined this process. Since libraries are full of data, it makes sense that they are at the forefront of computerization.

While libraries have changed in recent years, they remain an irreplaceable tool in any educational system. To see all the books together in one place will give any student a mild impression of the wealth and diversity of information available. Although students of today are better versed in information technology than students of previous years, the fact remains that libraries are the source and the storage all of information. The history of all human learning is contained in the library.

The role of the librarian has not diminished; it has grown larger because of the Internet. No matter what the level of learning, the student often will need assistance in gathering what they need. Learning to find the correct information is an important part of the educational process, at any level. The Internet can be full of misleading information and opinions. Twenty years ago, a phone call to San Francisco Public Library resulted in information within minutes. Now the same librarian has access to much more information than before, and from many libraries.

A great deal of information is on the Internet, but sometimes there are expenses involved; not all research is free. It must be remembered also that not everything is on the Internet. Students must sometimes gain access to information not yet computerized. One form of research that often involves a lot of hard copy labor is genealogy.

The atmosphere of a library, the hushed murmur, the importance of all this cannot be diminished. A trip to the library after a long dry spell brings it back in a nostalgic rush. In a few years, things may be different and books as we know them now may no longer exist, except in museums. Paper products are becoming unnecessary; storage is becoming prevalent in another form.

Does the atmosphere of the library, hushed, all-knowing, and timeless, make the trip worth it? Absolutely, it is a worthwhile trip, for many people, seeing all the books together is nearly a religious experience. For the student with a paper due, it is still a necessity. And too, as a bonus, there's a sense of grandeur, of infinite knowledge. And because of the Internet, there is even more information available.

Learn more about this author, Linda Hahn.
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