What are the biggest challenges facing libraries today?
Today's public libraries are at a crossroads. As the millennium approached, there was much concern about whether public libraries would become obsolete, and there were constant questions about how libraries could remain relevant in the age of online information. Nearly two decades later, libraries have successfully transitioned from being primarily concerned with materials to being community anchors for formal and informal learning, technology access, workforce development, and community engagement.
The interviewer is most likely attempting to assess the librarian's understanding of the challenges confronting the library industry as well as the librarian's priorities. The interviewer must understand the librarian's priorities because they will most likely influence how the librarian approaches his or her work.
Answer: "Today, libraries face a number of significant challenges." One example is the digital divide; not everyone has access to or understands how to use the internet, so libraries play an important role in providing internet access and computer literacy training. Another issue is funding; many libraries are struggling to stay open as a result of budget cuts, so it's critical to advocate for library funding at the local, state, and federal levels. Finally, staying relevant in a world where people can get information from anywhere is a challenge for libraries; libraries must provide unique services and resources that people cannot find elsewhere."
