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Future of Palo Alto Libraries
In this era of technology, do we still need libraries?
Our Library's annual circulation is now over 1.6 million items — an increase of 6 percent in the last year. What public libraries really provide is free and equal access to information. As technology proliferates, the library is truly the only place where everyone can use these information resources, regardless of cost or technical expertise.
In the age of the Internet and the wide availability of iPods and Kindles, we continue to attract more than 2,000 people who visit our libraries every day to read newspapers in their native language, pick up books they ordered from another library, research a school project, browse the DVDs available, and use the free, public access computers provided by the libraries.
In addition to providing the technology itself, the library provides something just as important — training and information about how to use it. While a wealth of information is available online, people still need to learn how to find information and assess its credibility. Our libraries will be able to offer classes using computers to demonstrate how to access the online databases, interpret Google results, or show the best way to learn a language using online or offline materials.
How will our new libraries use new technologies?
Our library website offers blogs, specialized e-newsletters, online reviews, online holds, inter-library borrowing, e-books, and dozens of informational databases to anyone with a Palo Alto library card, 24 hours a day. In the library itself, there are catalog search computers, Internet access computers, loaner laptops, free wi-fi, and self-check out stations.
Our new libraries will have technology built in — information kiosks will be available throughout the buildings, along with specialized stations for early learners, and download stations that provide library-only free-access to electronic versions of books and music to personal devices. We'll also install RFID automated handling systems to quickly and easily sort returned items.
The new conference and meeting rooms will be equipped with ceiling mounted projectors, electronic whiteboards with USB access, and web-conferencing equipment. These displays will allow entrepreneurs to explain their concepts, students to illustrate their projects, and community members to share knowledge.
The Palo Alto Library is committed to providing and using new technology. Our new library facilities will make that possible and are designed to flexibly accommodate the next several waves of technology.
A Day in the Life of the New Mitchell Park Library and Community Center
Here's how a day might go at the new Mitchell Park Library & Community Center.
NEW Denotes an activity that cannot occur in today's buildings.
| 9 AM | NEW Automated handling machine checks in and sorts library returns for shelving |
| 10 AM |
Children's pre-school storytime starts in the library's Kids Place
NEW Class on using the internet to plan travel begins in the Ventura Technology Center (TLC)
Art class for pre-schoolers and their parents in the Adobe art room at the community center
Immigrants from China read the Mandarin newspapers on the second floor of the library
Table tennis tournament for seniors in the El Palo Alto event space
NEW Several people arrive at the café for hot tea after daily tai chi in the park
|
| 11 AM |
NEW One-on-one literacy tutoring in the Barron Park conference room
Reference librarian assists patron researching a medical condition
A new parent logs on from home to research energy efficient washing machines using Consumer Reports
|
| NOON |
NEW Avenidas and La Comida provide a hot lunch for seniors in the El Palo Alto event space
Foothill College students come to study between classes after eating lunch in the park
People stop by on their lunch hour to pick up their books on hold
|
| 1 PM | NEW Using the wi-fi network, entrepreneurs refine their business plan in the Fairmeadow conference room |
| 2 PM |
First grade students log on from home to the homework help database to research an African animal
NEW Class on using the library's online historical and genealogical resources in the Ventura TLC
|
| 3 PM | Middle school students arrive to do homework, get a snack at the café, and check email in the Teen Zone |
| 4 PM |
NEW Google researcher offers "Super Searcher" class for kids ages 10 to 12 in the Ventura TLC
Recreation class begins in the Matadero Technology Lab for students to learn to edit videos
NEW College counselor meets one-on-one in the Palo Verde conference room with a client
Half court basketball tournament continues next to the The Drop
|
| 5 PM | NEW Wedding rehearsal in the El Palo Alto event space |
| 6 PM | Parents stop by to pick up audio books for a weekend car trip with the kids |
| 7 PM |
NEW "Around the World" series continues with a session on Costa Rica in the Midtown room
NEW Nonprofit board meeting in the Greenmeadow conference room
Children's author and illustrator tells bedtime stories in the Kids Place
|
| 8 PM | NEW High school students arrive to finish homework and listen to music at sound stations |
| 9 PM | Retirees check the investment database online to research stock picks |
| 10 PM | Book club members get an e-mail about the next book and reserve their copy online |
- More than 1,000 people will use this building every day
- Over 1,700 books, DVDs, and other materials will be checked out every day
- Online book reservations, reference inquiries, and databases are available 24/7
The Role and Mission of Public Libraries
How our libraries came to be
The concept of a free, public library was created hundreds of years ago by Benjamin Franklin. It was reinforced with Thomas Jefferson's gift of his library to fill the Library of Congress. The ideas and information libraries contain were then indexed and organized by Melvil Dewey. And, of course, Andrew Carnegie's legendary generosity financed construction of libraries all across the country, including Palo Alto's first downtown library. Because of this heritage, libraries are designed to enable people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in a democratic society by providing free and equal access to information.
What our libraries do now
Libraries welcome everyone and anyone to a range of activities and environments including quiet study and reading, collective learning, browsing, and socializing. New residents, whether they moved here from across the Bay or across the ocean, often come to the library to learn about their new community and how to find the services they need.
The library's mission is to be the learning center for people throughout their lives. Libraries support literacy for beginning readers, children, adults, and those who speak more than one language. Libraries provide a wide range of cultural and intellectual opportunities to everyone in the community. The library provides information and reading materials in a variety of formats, both traditional and virtual. This means that information can be available in books, newspapers, and magazines, on CDs and DVDs, online, displayed visually or communicated orally, or in downloadable formats. Professional librarians are a crucial resource for helping patrons find the information they need, whether it's in a book or online.
The library has always provided information using the newest technology, from searchable card catalogs to books on tape and then CD, to electronic databases now available from home and wi-fi for loaner laptops. It will always be the place that provides access to technology to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
Where our libraries are headed
Libraries as places are evolving as learning and work patterns change. Today's libraries are designed to accommodate group work, provide a place for community activities, and incorporate access to today's technology. Tomorrow's libraries will use different technology, but they will always provide free and equal access to information for everyone in the community.