Public libraries: Future or finale?

Friday, October 3, 2014

Are libraries still an important hub for Canadian communities, or are they doomed to become obsolete antiquities of an earlier, pre-connected world? CBC’s Cross Country Check-Up spent two hours on Sept. 28 discussing and debating this important topic.

Joining host Peter Mansbridge (subbing for a vacationing Rex Murphy) at the Stratford campus of the University of Waterloo to offer their perspectives were Christine McWebb, director of academic programs at Waterloo and Ken Roberts, former chief librarian for the Hamilton Public Library. Adding their points of the view to the discussion were recent graduates, researchers, librarians and other Canadians as well.

The two-hour program is a wide-ranging conversation on public libraries: what role can they play in the future, how public libraries are still filling a vital need across Canada and thoughts on the never-ending debate between those who love to read electronically and those still devoted to the printed word.

Have a listen to the entire discussion on the CBC website.