WINNING ESSAYS GET PUBLISHED
First of 12 finalists in composition competition to be published every Thursday
THE Al-Ikhlaas Academia Library and Resource Centre ran an essay contest in which pupils from across Cape Town participated. Starting today, we will publish the essays of the 12 finalists every Thursday. Robyn-Leigh Phillips from the Star of the Sea Convent School was winner in the 12-14 years category. Topic: The role of libraries in the 4th Industrial Revolution
THE advancement of technology in terms of human existence can be described as a movement towards global citizenship.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as the Digital Revolution, started in the 1980’s already. It involves finding new ways of demonstrating just how much technology can make our lives easier, and has the potential to continue to connect billions of people throughout the world.
This stage of development is moving quickly with no end in sight.
Change is inevitable, but is this change all good?
Some would argue that this technology will cause relatively basic human interaction to disappear over time. Communication between people is generally non-verbal interaction, such as eye contact, body language, etc.
These social interactions are considered to be the building blocks for establishing good human relationships.
Before the advancements of technology, we must acknowledge that community libraries were one of the ideal places for meaningful communication to occur.
What does this mean for libraries in the future?
According to the South African Oxford dictionary, the word library is “a building or room where books are kept for people to use or borrow”.
In today’s world, libraries mean something different. Let us look at the idea of the physical community library building.
Consider the feeling of walking into a community library and interacting with other book enthusiasts – genre specialists, bonding over shared interests, etc. What about observing a child “getting lost” with a book on a library poof?
The need for library buildings is seemingly irrelevant. Do you see a downward spiral developing?
Without the physical building, the need for the actual book also diminishes. But, there is less harm to the environment due to fewer books and buildings.
The advantages of fewer physical buildings will be no building and staff maintenance. You do not need to waste time and money – instead of going to your local library you could go onto your electronic device and have access to more books and information than a physical library has to offer.
Future libraries will definitely look different. The way we communicate will be different.
It may provide us with an opportunity to give people equal access to knowledge and to become global citizens.
This is believed to be one of the biggest contributions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – equal access to quality information.
As mentioned before the physical library building is where most socialising used to happen. What will happen when this centre of knowledge and interaction vanishes completely?
Given the magnitude of the internet, electronic libraries can be connected and have a large selection of educational materials from across the world.
If access is granted in all sectors of the economy, we may just see a reduction in inequality and poverty. This will allow people in rural areas to gain access to the same information and knowledge as people living in advanced communities and cities.
So, there is, and will be, substitutes for what libraries provide socially, like chat rooms, online book clubs and social media, etc.
The technological advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are moving very quickly.
It brings about a different way of human interaction and communication, together with cost-effective ways to address social challenges such as unequal access to information and privilege.
Change is very uncomfortable for people to embrace. However, the only certainty is change.
Those finding it easier to cope with the changes will benefit the quickest and most from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.