Far from heralding their demise, digital technologies have lead to a
dramatic transformation of the public library. Around the world,
libraries have reinvented themselves as networked hubs, community
centres, innovation labs, and makerspaces. Coupling striking
architectural design with attention to ambience and comfort, libraries
have signaled their desire to be seen as both engines of innovation and
creative production, and hearts of community life.
This book argues that the library's transformation is deeply connected
to a broader project of urban redevelopment and the transition to a
knowledge economy. In particular, libraries have become entangled in
visions of the smart city, where densely networked, ubiquitous
connectivity promises urban prosperity built on efficiency, innovation,
and new avenues for civic participation.
Drawing on theoretical analysis and interviews with library
professionals, policymakers, and users, this book examines the
inevitable tensions emerging when a public institution dedicated to
universal access to knowledge and a shared public culture intersects
with the technology-driven, entrepreneurialist ideals of the smart city.