How we can help libraries survive the times

Libraries have always been the foundation of knowledge. For centuries, if not millennia, they have played an important role enriching the minds of the future generation. In recent decades, libraries were for students researching their homework, working on school projects, or even just passing time to read books that were otherwise unavailable in their homes.

However, libraries have been facing many challenges brought about by technological advancements. In the advent of information being readily available online, the vast selection of diversions made available to the public at their fingertips, and finally, the worldwide pandemic which brought the world to a standstill, libraries now are in more than danger than ever.

Joined by representatives from the National Library, the Miguel de Benavidez library of the University of Santo Tomas, the Ortigas Foundation, and the Aurelio Montinola Jr. library of Alliance Française de Manille, a roundtable discussion was mounted by the Instituto Cervantes de Manila in Intramuros last 19 November.

El Futuro de las Bibliotecas (The Future of Libraries) tackled the importance of libraries and their future in the ever-changing landscape of information, the pandemic shutdown, and how these repositories of knowledge can cope with the challenges.

Carme Fenoll, 45, director of the Culture and Community Area of the library of the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, cheerfully shared her ideas on how we can help libraries withstand and adapt.
One of Fenoll's biggest suggestions is to bring the library closer to people.

"Take the library to the streets, you know, or I know that you have a privileged climate so share the public spaces with terraces, put plugs and shelves at the entrance with resources in the style of 'libraries of trust,'" Fenoll said.

She added that another way is providing audio books for the sick and elderly. Both ideas arise from the idea of bringing the library to those who cannot go.

On the technological front, she advocated for the creation of a YouTube channel or thematic channels that serve as an archive and possible reuse, an SMS, Telegram or WhatsApp service where one can have easy access to a librarian who can provide eBooks on the go.

She added investing in email marketing is a worthwhile venture as the space is wasted on daily bad news such as reminders of unpaid loans or useless spam mail. By utilizing email marketing, people can receive worthwhile emails and reignite interest in libraries and literary events.

Fenoll also discussed how the Philippines and other countries can benefit from the best practices of European countries where there are extended library hours. If coffee shops and convenience stores can be open 24 hours, why not libraries?

Although she understands that 24 hours might be a stretch, the public can hugely benefit from having extended library hours and maintain a minimum number of personnel especially for those whose working schedule may coincide with conventional libraries' operating hours.

She also made a call for volunteers. "Volunteering, now more than ever. The youth have been the first to offer themselves; let's not let them escape from the libraries."