In an era full of politics, ethics and other deeper discussions surrounding public facilities, the Seattle Public Library has chosen one path to follow: that of modernization. From technology and streaming resources to rentable Wi-Fi, the library has been expanding its catalog beyond just physical books.
“One of the things that’s really important to libraries is making sure people have access to information,” Seattle Public Library Head of Communications Laura Gentry said. “So, one of the biggest parts of increasing digital access is providing technology. We have hundreds of computers in our libraries that people can access if they don’t have a computer at home. We also have high-speed Wi-Fi in all of our buildings, [which is] something that not everybody can have access to, especially for free.”
The library, however, didn’t just offer computers and Wi-Fi. For over 10 years, much of the library’s funding and resources have been allocated to electronic books and audiobooks.
“Libraries have really had to invest a lot in e-books and audiobooks because that’s just a huge growing area for readers,” Gentry said. “We’ve had a presence in downtown Seattle since 1890, and to evolve into a digital library means we continue to evolve for future generations of users. I think anything that we can do to stay relevant to the community is something we’re interested in doing.”
The investments proved to pay off. Library staff saw e-book and audiobook consumption soar well above their expectations. However, this didn’t come without any tribulations. Because of publishing companies, libraries often pay two to five times more for audiobooks than they would for a physical book. A book that would originally cost $10 for a physical copy could cost a library up to $50. Even with the cost constraints, the library staff were determined to keep providing resources for the general public for free.
“Within the constraints of our budget, we’ll continue to serve the needs of our community and to adapt,” Seattle Public Library Communications Specialist Elisa Murray said. “As new technology comes along, we will be investing in it if we feel like our patrons are going to be using it or wanting it.”
Even with a never-ending list of future opportunities that public libraries may or may not offer, there are still many constants. The core values of the library will always remain the same.
“It’s always going to be a community gathering space that promotes intellectual freedom,” Gentry said. “These are spaces where you can come and hear debates from lawmakers, or you can sit together and watch a movie. In this day and age, it’s really hard to come by spaces where you feel like you’re a part of something bigger. That all ages, all backgrounds, all ethnicities, come together in one space. I think that’s what is like the staying power of libraries. It will stay forever.”
