In the US and around the world, talented librarians are asserting themselves anew in the digital age, proving that they continue to be invaluable resources in the 21st century. An exciting new book, The Global Librarian, sets out a new vision of librarians across the globe. Produced by the Metropolitan New York Library Council and the New York Metropolitan Area Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries, The Global Librarian demonstrates that librarians have designed and implemented creative ways in which to serve the information directly and remotely.
While libraries worldwide face public perception challenges, public libraries in the United States continue to set exciting new standards and enjoy immense support from the communities they serve.
With the advent of the Internet and the digitization of books and special collections, many people would expect the numbers and use of libraries to decline. However the success of US libraries shows how this can, in fact, be a misconception; the number of public libraries in the U.S. has increased over the last 20 years to approximately 17,000; and astonishingly, outnumbers the globally popular fast-food chain McDonald’s.
The Global Librarian highlights these crucial industry trends and insights that will allow librarians and libraries to continue to evolve with the rapidly changing technological environment.
"This book is a response to the shortsighted perceptions that libraries and professional librarians are obsolete in the age of the internet,” says Jason Kucsma, Executive Director of METRO.
ACRL/NY President, Carrie Netzer Wajda adds, “Libraries are essential democratic institutions that provide access to information, technology, and expertise to people from all walks of life, and the librarians featured in The Global Librarian are just a small sample of professionals actively working to tailor their services to the changing expectations of their constituent communities.”
