Library 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries

by Sandra Hirsh (Editor)

Building on the success and impact of Library 2020: Today’s Leading Visionaries Describe Tomorrow’s Library by Joseph Janes, Library 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries updates, expands upon, and broadens the discussions on the future of libraries and how they transform information services to best serve their communities. Library 2035 explores the lessons learned over the past decade and forecasts the opportunities, strengths, and challenges for libraries in the future. Contributors include R. David Lankes, Kelvin Watson, Annie Norman, Miguel Figueroa, and Nicole Cooke, along with 25 other library leaders, were asked to describe the “library of 2035” in whatever way they wanted. Their responses to this question will inspire, provoke, challenge, and expand our thinking about the role and importance of libraries in the future. Library leaders, LIS students, and faculty will find this book particularly meaningful and useful as we grapple with what the future of libraries and the profession will be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

234 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2024

Reviews

[Jennifer Stencel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Favorite chapters that deserve 4-5 stars:
Chapter 2 Predictions about Future technology in libraries and epistemic collapse. Basically how AI has given everyone access to create- so what does publishing look like, keeping a collection of these generative works (digital), and do we monitor copy right and other abuses?
Chapter 19- the library CEO- more business focused for the reason of justification of purpose/being. Not focusing on collection but being able to speak the how the talent increases the value. Which leads to
Chapter 21. Future library job descriptions. New jobs could be librarians who can use and understand and very all information generated; from spotting misinformation and correcting it in a final, stable form. Another is Automation and 24/7 services. Libraries and librarians that serve in the virtual word. Finally an AI that builds and monitors chat bots.

I appreciated a comment on climate change and what that could do in terms of populations resettling.

What this book missed is anything to do with accessibility and the advancements. As the population ages and lives longer, universal design is a strategic priority.

[pianogal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a decent read. Some predictions I expected. Some were new to me. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Bobbi Galvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Basically, it says what libraries do for their communities, but that we should do more of that.

[Arianna Keyser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book with a lot of ideas to reflect upon as librarians and other stakeholders make the decisions that will shape the future of libraries.