Once considered sanctuaries of knowledge, meeting, and community, libraries now face a stark and growing threat: insecurity. As a librarian, I have witnessed firsthand how spaces once filled with peace and inspiration have become infiltrated by violence and drug dealing. At the same time, libraries are forced to navigate a digital world—one where information is delivered at lightning speed, yet often remains fragmented and unreliable. This dual crisis of physical decline and digital transformation demands that we redefine the role of libraries—not as outdated institutions, but as indispensable hubs where security, knowledge, and innovation converge.
Recent studies and government reports paint a concerning picture: the number of physical book loans is steadily declining, library staffing is being reduced, and an increasing number of libraries are forced to close their doors. Documented statistics also reveal a rise in incidents of disorder, threats, and violence within library premises. These trends underscore an urgent need to reexamine our approach to libraries and adapt them to a rapidly changing reality.
Specialization: Evolution’s Force in Shaping the Future
Specialization is an evolutionary principle. Just as species adapt to fill specific niches to survive and thrive, libraries must evolve to remain relevant in our contemporary society. By concentrating on their unique strengths and addressing concrete needs, libraries can optimize their resources while creating secure, attractive environments for all visitors.
In today’s context, specialization is not about narrowing functions but about paving the way for broader applications and unforeseen societal benefits. History provides compelling examples of this very process—often described as exaptation, where an existing function is repurposed to serve new and broader ends.
Consider writing: originally developed for bookkeeping and documentation, writing systems were gradually exapted to become fundamental instruments for literature, communication, and the dissemination of knowledge. Likewise, the internet was initially conceived as a tool for military communication; it has since been repurposed to underpin social networking, e-commerce, education, entertainment, and countless other applications. Mobile phones, too, were once used solely for voice communication. Through exaptation, they have transformed into multifunctional devices—serving as cameras, gaming consoles, gateways to mobile internet, and creative studios in our pockets.
These historical examples demonstrate that specialization does not restrict functionality; rather, it catalyzes innovation by opening up entirely new possibilities. In the same way, libraries can harness specialization to expand their societal role and adapt to future challenges.
From Printed Books to Digital Hubs: Libraries as Creative Meeting Places
Critics often argue that libraries already address concrete needs through curated collections, newspaper corners, homework help, printing services, and even craft workshops—services that are invaluable for newcomers, the elderly, the isolated, and those who cannot afford alternative options. Yet, there is a clear paradox: while these traditional functions are undeniably essential, they are systematically being cut, restricted, or rationalized away. How, then, can a library offering only outdated services ever meet the demands of the future?
Investing in emerging technologies—such as virtual reality, makerspaces, 3D printers, and programming support—does not mean abandoning the library’s fundamental role. Instead, these investments broaden a library’s relevance and capacity for the future. By transforming physical spaces from mere repositories of books into vibrant digital hubs and creative meeting places, libraries can once again fulfill their original mission: to serve as centers for knowledge, innovation, and community engagement.
Around the world, pioneering initiatives illustrate this transformation. In Sweden, the DigiMaker project at Linköping University Library serves as a creative workshop that attracts engaged users with its state-of-the-art VR experiences, 3D printing, and programming support. Internationally, the Oodi Library in Helsinki has emerged as a global role model—a place where technology and creativity converge within a framework of clear, supportive guidelines, creating an environment that is both safe and highly productive.
A Blueprint for the Future
To successfully reinvent themselves, libraries must take several key steps:
- Identify and Develop Niches: Libraries should establish themselves as centers of expertise—whether in digital competence, research, or creative endeavors—to attract specific target groups and excel in their chosen fields.
- Build Technology and Knowledge Hubs: By providing advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and 3D printers, libraries can evolve into innovation centers that empower visitors to explore, create, and learn.
- Strengthen Information Management and Research: Librarians, as trusted guides in an increasingly complex information landscape, can drive scientific communication and publication, ensuring that users navigate the information age effectively.
- Collaborate with the Local Community: Forming robust partnerships with schools, businesses, and organizations allows libraries to become dynamic and indispensable hubs within their communities.
Specialization for Inclusion and Diversity
It is important to note that specialization is not a path to exclusion but rather a means of fostering inclusion. When libraries tailor their services to meet specific needs, they create environments that welcome and support diversity. By offering niche spaces where every individual—regardless of background, age, or identity—can find something of value, libraries become not only modern institutions but also vital community centers.
Critics sometimes claim that visions of transforming libraries into “dynamic and indispensable hubs” only benefit those who are already well-resourced. However, just as writing, the internet, and mobile phones evolved to serve entire societies, the specialized evolution of libraries has the potential to spur innovation that opens up new opportunities for everyone—even the most marginalized.
Libraries should not be relics of a bygone era. They must be dynamic, forward-thinking centers where knowledge, creativity, and innovation flow freely. With the integration of digital tools, educational resources, and cultural activities, libraries can truly reflect the diversity and evolving needs of our society.
By embracing specialization and the principles of exaptive evolution, we build a bridge from the traditional to a more dynamic, inclusive library—one where innovation and social benefit go hand in hand. Now is the time to work together to build that future, ensuring that libraries continue to serve as beacons of security, community, and creative potential for generations to come.