Recently, a classmate and colleague of mine hypothesized that the future of libraries would consist of the larger central libraries absorbing the collections of their smaller branch counterparts until there were merely twelve mammoth libraries “scattered geographically across the country” (Goade 2007).
Ms. Goade’s hypothesis is decidedly thought provoking; so thought provoking in fact that I decided to do a little research in order to assess just how likely this scenario might be.
My investigation did indeed turn up evidence that branch libraries are enduring difficult times. For instance, due to a lack of funding, the District of Columbia Public Library closed four branch libraries in 2005. The Minneapolis Public Library closed three of its branch libraries just this year for similar reasons.
Further investigation revealed that this elimination trend reaches well beyond North American borders. Scandinavian Public Library Quarterly reports that “the political climate in Norway favors cutbacks, leading to . . . the closure of branch libraries” (Svingen 2005). According to the U.K. serial publication Bookseller, eleven branch libraries in England have closed since October 2006 and there are plans to close up to fifty-seven more in the near future (2007).
Not all is negative as to the current status of branch libraries, however. Louisiana’s William Carey University opened its third branch campus library just this past summer. Also in Louisiana, fourteen branch libraries in New Orleans and Baton Rouge are currently being rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and plans are in the works for constructing four new ones. Moreover, the Queens Borough Public Library in New York City opened a new Cambria Heights branch in September 2006.
Outside the United States, the National Central Library Newsletter reports that the Taipei Public Library in Taiwan is not only building a new branch library, but a “green” one with an “eco-friendly design” (2006).
Perhaps one of the most innovation ideas to ensure the continued existence of a branch library comes from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. The MSU library was built to serve not only students but residents of the community as well. The library serves in the traditional role as an information and resource center as well as serving as a community outreach and training center (Brookes and Ryan 2007).
Ultimately, it seems, the future of branch libraries depends heavily upon the role and value each is assigned by its surrounding community.
Linda Summers
Letters from the Library 