Oct 1, 2015 3 min read

Can libraries survive the 21st century? We’ve been hearing for years now that the Internet, electronic books and smart phones have made the local library obsolete, and it’s only a matter of time before its doors close.

“The internet has replaced the importance of libraries as a repository for knowledge,” wrote M.G. Siegler, general partner at Google Ventures and a columnist for Tech Crunch. “And digital distribution has replaced the role of a library as a central hub for obtaining the containers of such knowledge: books. And digital bits have replaced the need to cut down trees to make paper and waste ink to create those books. This is evolution, not devolution.”

Siegler’s point is that – sad to say – libraries will die because they are warehouse of outdated technology.

But it doesn’t look as if death is so near here.

Libraries in Washington and Greene counties have not only had to deal with the realities of the digital revolution but also cutbacks in funding by the state, school districts and local government. Some, like Chartiers-Houston Community Library, have buckled under the pressure. Yet most have managed to stay open and in some cases to grow. They have done so by redefining their purpose.

The latest evidence of this is in Bentleyville, where the public library has chosen an architect to oversee construction of a $1.6 million expansion project. The enlarged building will be known as the Bentleyville Community Center and will house the local historical society, senior center, Meals on Wheels program and an expanded library.

The key words here are “community center.” The library is no longer just a place to read and borrow books on paper. It is a collection of information resources, a computer lab, a meeting place, a lecture hall, an art gallery and a classroom. And many other things.

Reading printed books will continue in libraries for many years to come because of all the other activities that happen there.

Next week’s schedule at Canonsburg’s Frank Sarris Library typifies the transformation: Monday, Lego Club meets; Tuesday, an all-ages story hour focuses on squirrels, and a class for those learning English; Wednesday, children learn how to make puppets and teens and adults learn box appliqué; Thursday, senior health fair; Friday, book sale.

The diversity of activity is no different at Washington’s Citizens Library and at Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg. And even at smaller libraries, in places like Avella, Donora, Burgettstown and McDonald, the transformation of purpose is evident.

Teenagers in Carmichaels can’t complain that there’s never anything to do, because Flenniken Library offers them “Crafternoon,” an after-school drop-in craft class, and a game night when they’re invited to play board games, Wii, cards or role-playing games.

Libraries are now places for all kinds of learning and also for social activity and companionship. In an age when so many people are absorbed in their own digital worlds, libraries are a venue from real human interaction.

If we care about our communities, then we need to care more about our libraries, our community centers.