Do you think library will still be needed 50 years from now?

I would not dare predicting the future 50 years from now on. If you look at what we have done in the past fifty years... and consider than things are moving three times faster than 50 years ago... for all we know... in 50 years... the internet will be a dinausor of the past.

Hi friendship. The discussion you started is very alarming. It is an importent topic of the time passing away. It is no doubt Internet is fast and easy source of abudeence of information. we can learn, earn and enjoy ourself with the help of internet. This is keeping us away from our old libraries. This almostly ceased the book reading habits. Audio and video revolution stoped the people to go to some where out door of their home. But there are many people are still going to libraries. Becouse books have their own values. Knowledge is still spreading through books. Internet is not a stable source. Failure of connection, power breakdown, infection of virus, unsecurity and many many more such problems show that books and libraries have still their values. You can borrow a book and read it anywhere and at anytime. But we need a special place for computer and connection for online going. It is a good news that e-libraries are coming ahead. But we should never forget that parents have more value than their childred.

Hmmm... I had not thought of that. You are right. Why go to the library? Certainly not to look something up. Still, I and many people prefer a book to a monitor when it comes to reading a novel. I'm guessing libraries will still exist for sometime to share books for recreation. For reference work, the "net" is much superior. BTW: Encyclopedias must be almost impossible to sell now.

I sure hope libraries will still be around (although I won't be here in 50 years!). I can't imagine trying to read a 700 page book sitting at my computer. There is still nothing like curling up with a good book in a hammock or in bed!

well i know that our library is a place that you can go and use the computers because not everyone can afford one. i spose it depends if the price of computers drops and how much so that everyone (even people living on welfare) can afford one! i also think the library is a social place.

I hope the library will not become obsolete. I so enjoy reading, curled up on the couch or propped up in bed. The computer is just not cozy for reading.

I can't imagine not having libraries, except as some future horror story. Not every book can be put on the internet. There's copyright issues. And, I'm sure writers won't all want to be only published online. And, that's only a small reason why libraries shouldn't become obsolete. Besides, if television and movies haven't taken the place of live theater, and cds/internet haven't taken the place of concerts, I don't see libraries disappearing. Anyway, most libraries have incorporated the internet along with books.

I think so. Libraries are important and there are not always computers and internet. And we still need the hard copy. We cannot bring the internet wherever we are especially in remote areas.

I hope that libraries and books will be around forever. I am very grateful to the internet for making books available to me, I live in Japan and English books are very expensive so being able to get books on line is great. But it will never replace the feeling of going to a library and jsut seeing the shelves full of books. There is something thrilling about that. Even though I don't read Japanese my kids do so we go to the library every few weeks. I love watching my kids find new books, ne genre that they haven't explored before. So yes elibrarys are the futrue but I really hope that old fashioned libraries will be around.

for me yes..Because what if will going to block-out and you need to research some important things so you can go to the library.so library still need in 50 years from now.......

The internet may have an abundance of information, but libraries have librarians. Children's librarian's, who will take the time to develop story time programs, or reccomend a good book. Reference librarians, who are always willing to lend a helping hand. They also offer space for various groups and organizations to meet. As long as there is a need for community, there will be a need that libraries can help to fill.

I don't think so.As friend before said,books have their own values.Although the we can earn abundance info in computer,but it can't replace the libraries...

Thanks to high speed broadband internet connections and lcd plasma screens, reading shouldn't be that much of a problem regarding any medical advisory. Where i'm from i couldn't name a family that does not own at least one single computer, therfore i see no need for libraries within the next 50 years since the IT era still has something for the humanity everyday.