Forward to the Future
On my last day in Shanghai, I presented a lecture for the Shanghai Library Association. About thirty-five librarians from academic libraries throughout the city attended. I spoke only briefly on virtual reference and focused instead on the future of research libraries. I had noticed that there was little talk about the future plans for the library: As mentioned above, the emphasis was on the ancient and on being up-to-date. Several librarians told me that I had chosen an interesting topic because the future is not something that librarians in China spend much time considering. This was interesting to me, since American libraries have a (generally healthy) preoccupation with strategic plans, visions, and goals.
Early in my stay in Shanghai a devastating earthquake hit Sichuan. The rescue mobilization and relief efforts were phenomenal. The people of Shanghai felt personally a part of the relief effort for an event a thousand miles away. I was moved by the scope of the tragedy but also by the solidarity of ordinary citizens. With 1.6 billion people, China as a united country is a force. When the people and the government direct their efforts—as with the earthquake relief and the Olympic preparation—the results are impressive. China’s importance in world trade as an exporter is already established. With its growing economy, it is increasing its influence in other areas. U.S. vendors, including library vendors, see the potential in the China market. The question is whether China will become as big of a player in the knowledge economy as it is in the production economy.
Cities in China have committed considerable resources to their libraries. China has the potential to shape the products and services of libraries not just within their own borders, but globally. This will, however, require that libraries start to think about the future.2
Correspondence concerning this column should be addressed to M. Kathleen Kern, Central Reference Librarian, University of Illinois at Urbana, 300 Library, 1408 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; e-mail: katkern@uiuc.edu.
References and Notes
- Xinhua News Agency, “Average Salary Increase of Urban Workers Rises to Six-Year High,” Apr. 2, 2008, www.china.org.cn/government/central_government/2008-04/02/content_14111192.htm (accessed Aug. 15, 2008).
- The conclusion for this column was particularly difficult, as a trip can be a difficult thing to distill. For less formal travel ramblings, see www.libraryun.com/shanghai. Photos are available at www.flickr.com/photos/15665541@N00/sets.