LIS Links Becoming More Social

Latest Activity

Dr. Hema Thakur posted an event

Two-Day National Seminar on “Smart Libraries: Integrating AI, IoT, and Intelligent Systems for Next-Generation Knowledge Services at Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh (Pinjore-Nalagarh National Highway (NH-21A), kalujhinda, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh

February 19, 2027 to February 20, 2027
45 minutes ago
RAMESH posted an event
Thumbnail

29th National Convention on Knowledge, Library and Information Networking (NACLIN 2026) at Hotel The Park Hyderabad, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad*

November 26, 2026 at 9pm to November 27, 2026 at 4pm
48 minutes ago
Khadeeja Mohammed Nizam Ansari posted events
49 minutes ago
Dr. Prakasan P.M. is now a member of LIS Links
55 minutes ago
Kajal Kumari and Mukesh Kumar Prajapat are now friends
yesterday
Ravish Verma is attending Dr. ARJUN's event
yesterday
Dr. Badan Barman posted events
yesterday
Dr. Sangita Utekar updated their profile
Monday
kanishk kumar yadav updated their profile
Monday
Dr. Sangita Utekar posted a status
"What are you up to?"
Monday
Profile IconDeepika Rajwade, Shashank Tripathi, Ajay and 4 more joined LIS Links
Monday
Khadeeja Mohammed Nizam Ansari posted an event

AI-Powered Bibliometric Analysis:10-Day Hands-on Research-to-Publication Programme at Online

December 1, 2026 at 7:30pm to December 10, 2026 at 9pm
Monday

If the first option is google, what will be the future of the library?" This tired question has been endlessly debated in the library community from about 1999 onwards. It reminds me of the buzz in the education community, back when computers were predicted to replace teachers outright, or the idea that VHS tapes would kill cinema attendance. The problem with this question is that it only looks at one facet of library services and forgets all others. It is not about "Google vs. the Library". What I think you are referring to is more about "Google vs. Ready Reference". The battle is over for that one - Google beats out library ready reference every time. 'Ready reference' describes questions such as "what is the population of Switzerland?" , or "How tall is the Empire State Building?"
The deeper levels of research require deeper analysis and casting a wider net. Scooping the first ten links off Google is not proper research. I'm not knocking Google - like everyone I use it constantly and it's fantastic at what it does. But it's not the magic bullet for everything research and it is not the destroyer of libraries. Real research means looking in several sources - books (physical or e-), journal articles, conference papers, archives, historical documents, etc. A Google search is also limited to the keywords you provide - and many times you are using ineffective keywords. Libraries present a browsing environment that brings together information you wouldn't have thought to search for. The collections of the world's libraries are incredibly rich and varied - and will only become more accessible to everyone as books and information are digitized. Everybody wins!
Libraries are becoming more proactive in presenting information, rather than waiting to be asked - particularly in academic environments. I predict that the Reference Desk might disappear, but libraries will not. Library staff will upskill and become more embedded in academic departments - essentially leaving the library environment and becoming information specialists for their "clients".
This "libraries vs. Google" question is so oversimplified, it overlooks the essential role of libraries in providing specialized services to their local communities. We are forgetting how libraries level the playing field in a less economically "fair" society, providing lifelong learning and information access to the less economically privileged. We are overlooking the importance of the library as a physical space, in a world where "third places" are becoming more important. These issues are so huge that I won't attempt to discuss them here. But to abandon the idea of libraries just because of sites like Wikipedia or the success of Google - that's just short-sighted.

Views: 294

▶ Reply to This

© 2026   Created by Dr. Badan Barman.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

LIS Links whatsApp