Audio Podcast: OCLC Researcher, Lynn Silipigni Connaway & Columbus Metro Library CEO, Pat Losinski Discuss the Future of Libraries

Two library world vip’s that infoDOCKET follows closely (we’re longtime admirers of their work) were guests on the “All Sides with Ann Fisher” program that was broadcast yesterday (July 17, 2014) on WOSU (public radio ) in Columbus, OH.
Bruce E. Massis, director of libraries at Columbus State Community College, was also a member of the panel.

• A podcast version of the program (runs 50 minutes) is Available to Download.

• You can also stream the program direct from the program’s web site.

Here’s the blurb:

While 91 percent of Americans think libraries are important to their communities, only 30 percent say they are highly engaged with their public library. Modern librarians struggle with staff shortages, budget cuts, and a changing technology landscape. This hour, we’ll talk about how libraries are adapting to the 21st Century.

OCLC points out a few more topics:

How people get their information, how libraries can integrate themselves online and outside the physical library, and what services besides books libraries should provide.

Btw, the numbers used in the program blurb come from Pew Internet & American Life Project and have been discussed in the past on infoDOCKET. At that time we noted that the Pew survey continued to show a sizable percentage of users are not very aware of what the library offers. So, while people think public libraries are important they’re unaware of what’s available. Can this last especially in a time of budget reductions or worse? It’s one thing to believe in the concepts and ideas of what a public library symbolizes but it’s something different to know about and utilize what it has to offer both inside a library building but also anywhere one can access the Internet.
See Also: Partnerships: Columbus Metropolitan Library & Columbus State Community College To Broaden Student Access (June 25, 2014)

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