| OK, Stewart. We need to start planning our paper on public libraries. |
| Have you thought of an angle yet? |
| Well, there's so much we could look into. |
| How libraries have changed over the centuries, for instance, or... |
| how different countries organise them. |
| What do you think, Trudie? |
| Maybe we should concentrate on this country, and try and relate the changes in libraries to external developments, |
| like the fact that far more people can read than a century ago, |
| and that the local population may speak lots of different languages. |
| We could include something about changes in the source of funding, too. |
| Yes, but remember we're only supposed to write a short paper, |
| so it's probably best if we don't go into funding in any detail. |
| Right. |
| Well, shall we just brainstorm a few ideas, to get started? |
| OK. |
| We obviously need to look at the impact of new technology, particularly the internet. |
| Now that lots of books have been digitalised, people can access them from their own computers at home. |
| And if everyone did that, libraries would be obsolete. |
| Yes. |
| But the digitalised books that are available online for free are mostly out of copyright, aren't they? |
| And copyright in this country lasts for 70 years after the author dies. |
| So you won't find the latest best-seller or up-to-date information. |
| That's an important point. |
| Anyway, I find it hard to concentrate when I'm reading a long text on a screen. |
| I'd much rather read a physical book. |
| And it takes longer to read on a screen. |
| Oh, I prefer it. |
| I suppose it's just a personal preference. |
| I expect that libraries will go on evolving in the next few years. |
| Some have already become centres where community activities take place, |
| like local clubs meeting there. |
| I think that'll become even more common. |
| I'd like to think so, |
| and that they'll still be serving their traditional function, but I'm not so sure. |
| There are financial implications, after all. |
| What I'm afraid will happen is that books and magazines will all disappear, and there'll just be rows and rows of computers. |
| They won't look anything like the libraries we're used to. |
| Well, we'll see. |
| I've just had an idea. |
| Why don't we make an in-depth study of our local public library as background to our paper? |
| Yes, that'd be interesting, and raise all sorts of issues. |
| Let's make a list of possible things we could ask about, |
| then work out some sort of structure. |
| For instance, um, we could interview some of the staff, |
| and find out whether the library has its own budget, or if that's controlled by the local council. |
| And what their policies are. |
| I know they don't allow food, |
| but I'd love to find out what types of noise they ban - |
| there always seems to be a lot of talking, but never music. |
| I don't know if that's a policy or it just happens. |
| Ah, I've often wondered. |
| Then there are things like how the library is affected by employment laws. |
| I suppose there are rules about working hours, facilities for staff, and so on. |
| Right. |
| Then there are other issues relating to the design of the building and how customers use it. |
| Like what measures does the library take to ensure their safety? |
| They'd need floor coverings that aren't slippery, and emergency exits, for instance. |
| Oh, and another thing - |
| there's the question of the kind of insurance the library needs to have, in case anyone gets injured. |
| Yes, that's something else to find out. |
| You know something I've often wondered? |
| What's that? |
| Well, you know they've got an archive of local newspapers going back years? |
| Well, next to it they've got the diary of a well-known politician from the late 19th century. |
| I wonder why it's there. |
| Do you know what his connection was with this area? |
| No idea. |
| Let's add it to our list of things to find out. |
| Oh, I've just thought - |
| you know people might ask in the library about local organisations, like sports clubs? |
| Well, I wonder if they keep a database, or whether they just look online. |
| Right. |
| I quite fancy finding out what the differences are between a library that's open to the public |
| and one that's part of a museum, for example - |
| they must be very different. |
| Then something else I'd like to know is... |