With search engines like Google and Bing, today just about everyone can effortlessly obtain information with unprecedented ease and speed. Every kind of information is now more accessible than ever before. Despite the digital accessibility of information, libraries continue to play a crucial role, especially in the realm of education. If libraries were to disappear, it would have detrimental effects on children’s education, and yet the convenience and speed of digital information cannot be denied. However, libraries serve as public spaces where people can gather, share cultural and scientific heritage and contribute to the creation of knowledge. Librarians and archivists, as custodians of our societies’ historical records, play a significant role in preserving our collective memory. Libraries hold a nostalgic and profound place in people’s hearts. The joy of finding unexpected discoveries while searching for something else resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. Similarly, the decline of physical, printed newspapers poses a risk of missing out on important stories that provide a comprehensive view of the world. Moreover, libraries serve as essential ‘third places’ that are open to the public, providing safe and comfortable spaces for people to access information, think, write and learn. Libraries and archives provide essential services to the public every day. They make decisions on what texts and images to hold for posterity, ensuring the preservation of our collective knowledge. By recognising and supporting the multifaceted roles of libraries, we can ensure that they continue to thrive and serve as vital institutions in our digital era, which is moving at stratospheric speed.
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