Future of libraries

The rise of e-books, digital media, digital scholarship and the Internet have created considerable anxiety about the future of the library. Libraries currently engaged in a large-scale and controversial effort to modernize by remodeling, adding services and offering access to e-books and other digital media alongside more traditional services such as book lending and children's programs. At the same time, libraries face increasing costs and smaller budgets. There are questions about ability of some cities, states and educational institutions and to continue funding library service at all. The future of libraries is likely to remain uncertain as change and recession continue to affect the industry. The lending of printed books remains the most popular service libraries provide.
The future of books
While recent years have been especially troubling for bookstores, the rise in e-books seems to have generally benefited the book publishing industry, which Dominique Raccah, co-chairwoman of the Book Industry Study Group, has described as "robust.". While most people expect digital media to replace printed books sometime in the future, most industry analysts expect sales to stabilize around 20% to 25% of the book market. While e-books still show strong growth, the rate of growth has declined significantly in recent years. Sixty percent of book readers have no interest in ever buying an e-reader, and 90% of people who read e-books continue buying and reading print books. Eighty-nine percent of regular book readers have read a printed book in the last year. Scholarly reference material and communication is increasingly digital, but students continue to use a variety of digital and print resources to study and perform research. A 2011 study of Taiwanese graduate students showed that while most research began in a digital format, the students preferred printing out longer material for in-depth reading. Students from the Millennial generation also seem to welcome a variety of media. While e-journals are in common use among young graduate students, e-books are not widely used, lack of suitable content, format problems, publisher restrictions and cost.
Huge majorities of readers still prefer printed books for lending and sharing, and especially want their children to grow up reading and enjoying printed books. According to surveys, book lending is among the most important and valued services libraries currently provide. There is strong resistance to moving books to make room for more technology. In a 2013 interview regarding the enduring popularity of printed books, Michael Pietsch, CEO of the Hachette Book Group said, "In all the talk about e-books, we often lose track of the fact that more than three out of four books sold in the U.S. are still printed ones." "Going bookless" is not limited to academic and research libraries. Benilde-St. Margaret's, a Catholic school, removed most physical books from its library in 2011. In 2013, Bexar County, Texas will be among the first bookless public libraries.
The addition of digital materials has also fueled new ways of book selection and buying for libraries. Patron-driven acquisition (PDA) is a way for library patrons, not library staff, to select and purchase e-books for the library. Under a PDA model, libraries give patrons access to a catalog of digital materials. Materials are only purchased or licensed after a certain amount of interest or desire is expressed by patrons. Over the last 30 years, the Internet has also prompted the rise of born-digital or entirely digital libraries like the Digital Public Library of America and the Gutenberg Project.
Learning commons
Learning commons, also known as scholars' commons, information commons or digital commons, provide shared space for information technology, tutoring, collaboration, content creation and reading or study. Scholars' commons are increasingly popular in academic and research libraries, and some public libraries have now adopted the model.
Public libraries are increasingly adopting the "bookstore model," characterized by remodeling for comfortable and attractive reading and meeting spaces, a broad offering of both bestsellers and literary works, user-friendly organization systems and excellent customer service, often including the elimination of library fines. Libraries are increasingly focused on offering access, convenience and support as well as a broad collection of books and materials.
Many public, academic and school libraries are also interested in dedicating more space for entrepreneurs, projects, online and content creation. Libraries are beginning to lend other items, like information technology and tools to support e-reading, creative and business activities. Many academic libraries, and some major urban public libraries now offer print-on-demand publishing and access to 3D printers for patrons. These changes mean libraries will have an increasing role in providing publishing and "publishing support" services, especially in the field of scholarly and academic publishing. A 2011 survey of member institutions of ARL, the Oberlin Group and the University Libraries Group found that approximately half of the respondents had or were developing library publishing services.
Special collections & digital preservation
The preservation of digital media is of increasing concern to libraries and archives. A significant number of twentieth century works are only available in print due to copyright restrictions.
Funding challenges
Renovation, information technology, the addition of digital media, and digitization are all costly investments, requiring sufficient infrastructure, educated and experienced staff and institutional commitment. Public, academic and school libraries are all under intense budget pressure, facing long-term hiring freezes and reductions in hours, services and locations. different funding model, perhaps centered around philanthropy, fees, public-private partnerships, or digital publishing services. In 2009, 40% of state librarians reported reductions in state aid to libraries.

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