The image that sticks in my mind about libraries is the role of monastery libraries during the dark ages. While the Roman Empire was melting down and the political and economic landscape was changing monastery libraries emerged as a place of learning and continuity. It offered a stable place to house books and carry them through the changes generationally.
What if a church library could operate similarly in a very chaotic and ever changing digital and even economic world?
Preservation of History access to material not easily found Not about easy access more about access to things that are important And long term access
Church library as separate from Pastor’s library
Current factors that affect things
Learning in an emerging AI environment reopens the age old question of what is worth learning and keeping with you in your memory?
a A Holistic versus Mechanistic Perspective what about a perspective focused on life as the foundational activity of God in the world?
Avoidance of Tail Knowledge and Knowledge Collapse Search engine biases AI biases
History of Technology that affects things
printing press - access of printed
broadcast systems - few to the many
social media - many to the many
Instability of technological communication systems DVD and CD era in Church libraries short lived
Not likely to have professional librarians or archivists Generational focus rather than just practical
Things that Church libraries often have
Old out of print books or hymnals Bible study resources and helps History of Church and Lutheranism