lecture presented at PAARL's Summer National Conference on the theme "“Library Tourism & Hospitality: The Business of Endearing Philippine Libraries and Information Centers to Publics” (San Antonio Resort, Baybay Beach, Roxas City, Capiz, 27-29 April 2011) by Christopher C. Paras

1. Library 911
Saving Library One-Step
At A Time
Presented by
Christopher C. Paras
PAARL Summer Conference 2011
San Antonio Beach Resort
Roxas City, Capiz
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2. Introduction
Hundreds of years of ago, Andrew Carnegie
envisioned that his libraries would bring books and
information to all people. His vision is obviously
alive up to this time because libraries continue to
grow, improve, innovate and most importantly exist.
Undeniably, libraries have become essential to
humans which is why it is known to be as repository
of knowledge. Library is a place where people can
come to be themselves or to become something else.
Libraries change lives.
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3. What if…
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4. Alarming Issues
• In America and UK, public libraries are
now in crisis due to devastating city and
state budget cuts.
• More than 40% of the libraries are
currently threatened with closure and
mobile services are also earmarked to
face the axe. 30% will soon be at risk.
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5. Top 3 reasons and realities…
1. Closing a library can make economic
sense particularly when good alternatives
are in place.
2. Book readers are becoming less and
less
In the PH alone, a survey conducted by NBDB in
2003 resulted that only 65 percent of young
Filipinos say they read, down two percent in
2009.
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6. 3. Investing on computers and databases
and strengthening networks are more
important requirements in the information
age
Google is rapidly digitizing books!
As of June 2010, it has scanned
more than 12 million books
already.
In the current climate, libraries worry they'll
become obsolete. Publishers are afraid they
won't be able to make any money. That's why
HarperCollins came up with a new e-book
policy that says an e-book can be checked out
26 times, after which it has to be repurchased
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7. From the “33 reasons why libraries and
librarians are still extremely important” by
Will Sherman
1. Not everything is available on the internet
2. Digital libraries are not on the internet
3. The internet isn’t free
4. Libraries aren’t just books
5. Mobile devices aren’t the end of books
6. Library attendance isn’t falling
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8. From the “33 reasons why libraries and librarians
are still extremely important” by Will Sherman
7. The internet is subject to manipulation
8. It can be hard to isolate concise information
9. Libraries can preserve the book experience
10. Libraries are stable while the web is transient
11. Not everyone has access to the internet
12. Not everyone can afford books
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9. Take Actions
1. Strong advocacy efforts is necessary to convince
officials that libraries are still essential
2. Capture their attention through diverse media
3. Create innovative ideas that provoke criticisms
4. Work with organized associations into a
common goal
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