Library of the Future

Pickering is considering its future in preparation for our new service plan.
Unlike our previous plans, we are taking a longer term perspective and trying to imagine the future role of the library in 2025.

Some aspects of our future are quite easy to imagine - the future community of Pickering will be more diverse, greener, and will reflect the boom and echo demographics - more seniors, their thirty something kids with their children.

Some aspects of future libraries are harder to predict: Will Kindle and iPad replace print books?   Will connectivity and hardware be affordable for all?  Will the majority of digital content remain largely free of cost?  What will power our technology?

While many things will change in future libraries, I believe that the fundamental values of libraries will endure.  We exist to enrich and inspire the lives of ALL of our residents, bridging people, ideas and cultures with openness and respect.

Take a look at these videos from Aarhus Public Library to see a public library that enriches, inspires, and connects the community in ways that moves beyond books and incorporates new technologies.  Is this a model for the future Pickering Library?