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Challenges of running physical and digital library services
1:29:44
·
79 sec
Linda Johnson discusses the challenges libraries face in running both physical and digital services, particularly in light of the digital divide and evolving technology needs.
- Libraries are serving those on the wrong side of the digital divide, a problem that is growing more complex each year
- As libraries invest in more sophisticated digital materials, the gap widens for those without adequate access
- Libraries are essentially running two enterprises: traditional brick-and-mortar services and a growing digital enterprise
- The expansion into digital services has occurred over the past 5-7 years without a corresponding increase in funding
- This dual role is making the current funding situation untenable for libraries
Linda Johnson
1:29:44
I wanna reiterate the issue of inadequate broadband across the city.
1:29:49
The libraries are in fact you know there to sort of help those that are on the wrong side of the digital divide in a way that is really hard to fathom in 2025.
1:30:01
And the issue is growing every year because the more sophisticated we get in terms of investing in digital material, the further behind people living on the wrong side of the digital divide become.
1:30:16
And that is the really perhaps one of the biggest conundrums that we're dealing with right now because to meet the demand of many New Yorkers in terms of digital material requires us to make investments that are in some cases, it's like we're running two enterprises.
1:30:36
We're running the bricks and mortar, and we're running this digital enterprise that we've all built out over the last five, seven years.
1:30:45
And we're still operating with the same amount of funding.
1:30:50
And that is part of what is making the situation untenable.
Gale A. Brewer
1:30:54
Alright.
1:30:54
Thank you.
1:30:54
Just two quickly things.
1:30:55
Well, I won't bring up DDC because I always do.
1:30:57
Because when I do then they call me and complain that I complain about them.
1:31:01
But I am complaining about them.