Today’s generation is more advanced than ever. They have access to anything and everything at the brim of their hands. The internet and the advancing use of technology have given the young adults access to use it for their own benefit. And with the wide amount of information available on the internet, the question lies do we really need to physically go to a library to stack on information?
This question is probably arising in the mind of every millennial today. Why go to the library when we can surf the internet in the comfort of our homes? This is a viable question and most importantly it is true.
The library has been a very important part of our education system since time immemorial. From doing research activities to collecting information, a library has always been our go-to. Schools opened the library as a part of their curriculum to give the students the additional benefit to access data outside their bookish knowledge. It has been an integral part to increase the reading habits among young adults and the idea of seeking knowledge on their own terms. But since the advent of digitalization and the use of gadgets, things have taken a complete 360-degree change. The idea of having to the smell of books or surfing through a lot of books in search of accuracy has just diminished. Today we trust the internet more than anything. So, is the bookish knowledge unviable now? Is the trust that we have on the internet when compared to the textual realm, unbeatable? Are the books and the efforts of the authors behind it considered obsolete standing in today’s times?
Importance of libraries in the school premises
Schools as it is being considered our second home – the formal education system of every young adult. Thus as a part of the first formal education program, it is important for institutions to give its students the best of resources and hence, the library. The school libraries cover a broad range of books and novels in relation to an individual’s academics and choices. They segregate the books as per the requirements and age which actually benefits the individual. It is not really viable for a young kid to surf the internet anytime they want to know about something. It is important that their inquisitive approach actually helps them shuffle through the books to gain the right knowledge. When a student actually tries to find information with the use of textual data, it helps them increase their learning capacity. It regulates a constant need for them to be in touch with their academics. It actually develops the quality habit of reading among the students and thus helps in the growth of understanding of cultures, aesthetics, and intellectualism. Their tendency to keep track of knowledge increases and know a lot more about the exterior world. This knowledge that gains here could give them a real-time opportunity to enquire about what they are being taught in class. Yes, they can always go back home and read but is that how education is supposed to be? It cannot be just limited to the classroom knowledge. Doors and windows should be opened to limitless opportunities, just in the right way. The information in the digital platform doesn’t cater to specific needs, unlike those in libraries. Yes, libraries might be looking at old school standing in today’s era, but it is the best way of learning.
Libraries are an essential part of student life
Student life isn’t limited just to the schools so to think of the library just as a part of elementary isn’t the right way. It is true that the world wide web has given us authorization to a lot of information. It answers everything you ask but does it answers enough? When we read books, we see an ethical breakdown of the information in a varied detailing of the data. But can we say the same when we surf the internet? Yes, there are eBooks, but to date, there isn’t an eBook version of everything. Also, no virtual version can really take over the feeling of using a physical hardcover book. Rather some books are so rare that their existence is only found in the library bookshelves. Also, books like that of Encyclopedia, those that keep a track of Guinness world records or the Oxford Dictionary, are very costly and people only make use of it through the library when they need it.
In short, the real and virtual world was always meant to coexist. To the discard, the idea of having to visit libraries physically, cannot be discarded. Libraries are a rich source of values and interests and hold an important place in the history of the country. The world wide web can never replace the integrity of our libraries.
