Why do libraries still matter today? Part 1

by Donna Chanderpaul-Singh, Librarian II, TAMCC

This is the first of 4 articles in the series “Why do libraries still matter today?” The series starts with a historical sketch of libraries and their roles. The following 3 parts examine the interconnected roles and their relevance to contemporary society.

In today’s digital world, it is pardonable to think that libraries are redundant since they are no longer the primary custodians of information. For many years, libraries have primarily been repositories of printed materials, operating unobtrusively in public societies, academic institutions, and corporations. They constantly address challenges and adapt to changes, keeping their patrons foremost by presenting a generally quiet, neutral, and nurturing space and providing access to needed services and resources. Yet they stretch limited funds, sit resignedly on the back burner, and the list goes on. But this picture is not completely aligned with the role of libraries today. Total quiet, hard-copy books and obscurity no longer define the library of the 21st century!

For context, let’s take a rearview glance. Libraries have existed for more than 5,000 years in the Mesopotamia region, according to written records. Clay tablets (cuneiform) and later, papyrus held information. Only scribes, certain religious and government officials, and other select individuals had access to library resources. Upper classes, such as royalty, had private libraries in their homes. Nevertheless, we can deduce that a long time ago, the world recognised the importance of curating and storing knowledge on available ‘technology.’ Has this changed?

We still need to store information for posterity. To facilitate this, we have a range of technologies at our disposal. We have moved from limited information with restricted access, to information in tangible form housed primarily in libraries with some public access, and now to an information deluge on a wide range of media with far more access. It’s on our phones, our computer devices, and we can access them in our homes, cars, in the air, virtually anywhere. Information is everywhere, so much so that we often suffer from information overload, misinformation, and disinformation.

The question remains: why do libraries still matter today? The appearance of libraries, their contents, and their services have evolved. They have transformed into something unprecedented; something bigger that matters even more today. Libraries, equipped with the right tools and skillsets, can teach information literacy on pertinent current issues, promote lifelong learning, build communities, and bridge the increasing digital divide, all crucial to the development of any country today. Is it any wonder that the possibilities of this humble institution have started to attract national attention? The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, is the global voice for all types of libraries. Vibrant as ever with more than 1,500 members from 150 nations, they hold huge annual conferences in different parts of the world to support, guide, and develop the information profession. Their 2025 theme, “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future,” serves as a powerful motivation for libraries worldwide to forge ahead amidst all obstacles.

Here at the TAMCC Library, we have certainly recognised the need to forge ahead, albeit slowly. Despite many challenges, we have launched 2 major initiatives in as many years: The Gilda Campos Outreach (named after the former librarian) and Storytime @ TAMCC Library. Early in the new year, we are hoping to start yet another TAMCC Library Bookclub, which will be a student-led initiative. While the 3 initiatives share objectives — reading and community building — there are distinctions. In the Outreach programme, library staff visit schools, senior citizen homes and children’s homes. Storytime promotes the local culture through the various art forms, focusing on local authors. It encourages TAMCC’s students, staff and faculty, as well as persons from the wider community, to participate. Finally, the Book Club aims to engage the college students mainly, allowing them to complete their mandatory Community Service hours at the same time.

Clearly, libraries still matter today and will continue to do so for as long as there is information, I believe. Nevertheless, they will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of society.