For all the declarations of libraries being dead, we're witnessing a bit of a revival. University and public libraries are remaking themselves to reflect different needs of learners today. The New Librarians sums it up well; "Students are still coming to the library in droves...But more and more often what they want to come to the library for is collaborative space where they can work with their friends and have a coffee, sit comfortably and do their homework, and get help when they need it."
Posted by gsiemens at November 6, 2007 4:06 PM | TrackBackthis warms my heart! for centuries, people have been coming to the Library of Alexandria for just the purposes you note ('though the tipple-of-choice may not have been coffee in Alexander's day ...); Library workers and their patrons have expressed themselves and have extended the influence of their cultures thru papyrus, paper, and the Web; are Libraries still influencing the masses? - for your answer, just think of countries where books 'n blogs are censored
Posted by: susan at November 6, 2007 11:28 PM