Jessamyn had some great links recently to discussions about the role of technology in libraries. On my trip to the US I visited lots of libraries, public and academic across the country. They were all completely different in terms of technology, design, patronage, and usage. But what stood out for me is that there is no point providing a room full of computers or tools without also providing the means to learn how to use them.

At Chicago Public Library, there were people spending hours by themselves using Typing Tutor programs. At San Francisco Public Library, they still have a typewriter room. At New York Public Library’s 42nd street branch, tourists flock in droves just to have their picture taken in front of Patience and Fortitude, not to use the library.

SFPL is using technology to serve specific populations such as the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through their Deaf Services Center. They also have a long list of assistive technologies available for disabled users. But I have to admit, I find the SFPL website a little hard to use considering most of the people in the library when I was there were either very tech-savvy (making use of the brand-new wifi service) or homeless.

As a library user, where I felt a little underserved was as a tourist. I understand that for most libraries, I am a low priority since I’m not a member and don’t pay any local taxes. Yet, I hope that when I visit a library they will be welcoming, make getting information about accessing computers and services easy to find, and perhaps have a local section where I can find travel guides, ‘what’s on’, history and so on. At libraries with wifi, it was easy - walk in, sit down, turn on my computer; instant access. At libraries with member-only access to computers, costs varied wildly from one state to another. Many libraries had impractical conditions like only being able to buy an access card for a week, not a day, or even an hour. I ended up walking a mile to a Kinko’s in two cities. One plus was that most cities I went to had at least one library in an easy-to-find location, and I ended up stumbling on them rather than having to hunt for them. And last year, when I visited Seattle, Seattle Public Library was pointed out as an attraction to visit by the hotel staff.

What’s the point of this post? I guess just that there are many uses to libraries that make up the overall ‘learning and recreation’ categories we often pont to.