Interview with Robert Maier, Former Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

From The Boston Globe:

As a library professional for four decades and director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners since 2002, Robert Maier has seen dramatic changes in how people get and use information for education, enjoyment, and entertainment.

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Maier, 64, of Salem, retired as director of the board on March 15.

Before leaving, he discussed how public libraries have changed over the years, how they remain relevant today, and how they are continuing to evolve in a digital age.

The interview touches on a number of topics including ebooks.
Here’s one exchange:

Given the challenges, will libraries remain relevant?
Maier: There is no question libraries will continue to be relevant in people’s lives. If you look at the sweep of services public libraries provide, they are always there with materials, resources, and programs.
Many libraries in the 19th century had a big focus on community programming, active programs for adults as well as kids. We are seeing a rebirth of that.

Read the Complete Interview
 

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