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Essay / Final Essay - 721
There will always be a place to house the information, but the question lies in "how" it will be contained. Libraries actually serve as advocates and initiators of digital content and services. Now, we must keep in mind that an aspect of service within libraries involves not only the provision of reading materials, but also addressing the accessibility of these materials in certain proximities. For example, if there is a library community made up primarily of people aged 50 to 70, their preferred reading format will likely be print books. In this case, librarians will not spend an entire budget on digital materials. As a result, libraries have evolved in recent years from being a “quiet place” where we go to read or study to a place of “free” entertainment. They currently offer DVDs, iPad crates, e-books, laptop rentals, music and video downloads, WiFi, cafes, exhibitions, puppet shows, petting zoos and much more, all for FREE. Our own public library recently launched “Minecraft Tuesdays” where children ages 8-12 come to play Minecraft. It's worth noting that some people forget that libraries are businesses and thrive on community support. As we move into the future, libraries will increasingly model grocery stores with exciting new entertainment options to increase library awareness. We will also see a push for more digitized items in all libraries. Libraries are already