Libraries vs. technology: A future rooted in balance
In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, libraries often find themselves standing at a crossroads between tradition and innovation.
While technology continues to redefine how we access, share and consume information, the library – often seen as a quiet, sacred space filled with printed knowledge – remains a symbol of learning, inclusion and community.
This has led many to ask: In a world where a smartphone can open up a world of answers, do we still need libraries? The answer is not only yes, but a resounding yes.
Yet the form and function of libraries must evolve to stay relevant in the 21st century. This evolution requires more than simply digitising books or installing computers; it demands a holistic reimagining of the library’s role in a tech-driven world.
Why do libraries still matter?
Libraries have long served as the heart of communities. They offer access to information, foster lifelong learning and provide a safe space for intellectual curiosity. But beyond access, they offer equity. Not everyone owns a smartphone or has a reliable internet connection. Libraries help bridge that gap, and in many Namibian towns and across Africa, libraries are often the only accessible hub where children can read, research and engage with stories that shape their world. In underserved areas, they are not just buildings with books – they are spaces of hope that librarians are there to create.
The role of technology in libraries
Technology, when used intentionally, can elevate the library’s role even further. From e-books to digital databases, virtual reality tours to online catalogues, libraries have the opportunity to integrate tools that extend learning beyond physical walls. Hybrid models are emerging, where storytime is still done aloud in reading corners, but children can also watch animated African folktales on tablets or where researchers in remote villages can access international journals with a single click. Namibia’s own strides in digitising national archives and developing e-library platforms are proof that libraries and technology don’t have to be at odds – they can walk hand in hand.
Challenges faced in integrating technology into libraries
Still, the road isn’t without bumps. One of the biggest challenges facing library technology integration in Africa is access. Many rural or under-resourced communities still struggle with unreliable electricity, limited internet infrastructure and budget limitations. The dream of a digital library remains just that – a dream – for too many.
There’s also the matter of digital literacy. Even when devices are available, many users (and sometimes even library staff) lack the training to use them effectively.
This creates a second kind of barrier: not technological, but educational. And then there's the question of identity. When technology moves too fast, we risk losing the very essence of what makes libraries special: human connection, the serendipity of stumbling across a book, the joy of storytelling circles, the wisdom of an elder guiding a child’s first read.
Bringing it home: The Namibian (and African) lens
Despite the obstacles, progress is happening. Across Namibia, community libraries and mobile library units are stepping into new territory – combining digital literacy programmes with traditional library services. In places like Katutura, Windhoek and Ongwediva, we see libraries hosting computer literacy trainings, homework assistance programmes and even digital storytelling sessions for young learners.
These initiatives show that it’s not about choosing between books and bytes – it’s about combining both to serve diverse needs.
In other African countries, innovations like solar-powered mobile libraries, library apps in local languages and digital mentorship programmes are redefining what it means to be a 'modern library'. These ideas inspire us to keep reimagining what our own spaces can look like.
Where to from here?
The future of libraries lies in balance. We must honour the past while embracing the tools of the future. A library should be a space where a grandmother can read folktales to her grandchild, and that same child can later explore a virtual museum or learn coding basics on a computer. It should be a sanctuary for both quiet reflection and creative discovery. To get there, we need policies that invest not just in technology but in training. We need partnerships between governments, private companies and communities to ensure that no child is left behind – whether they live in a city suburb or a distant village. Above all, we must remember that libraries are more than buildings and books, they are mirrors of possibility. In a digital world that often feels disconnected, libraries offer us a chance to slow down, connect and grow. With the right balance, they won’t just survive – they’ll lead us into the future.
*Linda Amadhila is an information professional at the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, and the views shared here are her own. She can be reached at [email protected]
While technology continues to redefine how we access, share and consume information, the library – often seen as a quiet, sacred space filled with printed knowledge – remains a symbol of learning, inclusion and community.
This has led many to ask: In a world where a smartphone can open up a world of answers, do we still need libraries? The answer is not only yes, but a resounding yes.
Yet the form and function of libraries must evolve to stay relevant in the 21st century. This evolution requires more than simply digitising books or installing computers; it demands a holistic reimagining of the library’s role in a tech-driven world.
Why do libraries still matter?
Libraries have long served as the heart of communities. They offer access to information, foster lifelong learning and provide a safe space for intellectual curiosity. But beyond access, they offer equity. Not everyone owns a smartphone or has a reliable internet connection. Libraries help bridge that gap, and in many Namibian towns and across Africa, libraries are often the only accessible hub where children can read, research and engage with stories that shape their world. In underserved areas, they are not just buildings with books – they are spaces of hope that librarians are there to create.
The role of technology in libraries
Technology, when used intentionally, can elevate the library’s role even further. From e-books to digital databases, virtual reality tours to online catalogues, libraries have the opportunity to integrate tools that extend learning beyond physical walls. Hybrid models are emerging, where storytime is still done aloud in reading corners, but children can also watch animated African folktales on tablets or where researchers in remote villages can access international journals with a single click. Namibia’s own strides in digitising national archives and developing e-library platforms are proof that libraries and technology don’t have to be at odds – they can walk hand in hand.
Challenges faced in integrating technology into libraries
Still, the road isn’t without bumps. One of the biggest challenges facing library technology integration in Africa is access. Many rural or under-resourced communities still struggle with unreliable electricity, limited internet infrastructure and budget limitations. The dream of a digital library remains just that – a dream – for too many.
There’s also the matter of digital literacy. Even when devices are available, many users (and sometimes even library staff) lack the training to use them effectively.
This creates a second kind of barrier: not technological, but educational. And then there's the question of identity. When technology moves too fast, we risk losing the very essence of what makes libraries special: human connection, the serendipity of stumbling across a book, the joy of storytelling circles, the wisdom of an elder guiding a child’s first read.
Bringing it home: The Namibian (and African) lens
Despite the obstacles, progress is happening. Across Namibia, community libraries and mobile library units are stepping into new territory – combining digital literacy programmes with traditional library services. In places like Katutura, Windhoek and Ongwediva, we see libraries hosting computer literacy trainings, homework assistance programmes and even digital storytelling sessions for young learners.
These initiatives show that it’s not about choosing between books and bytes – it’s about combining both to serve diverse needs.
In other African countries, innovations like solar-powered mobile libraries, library apps in local languages and digital mentorship programmes are redefining what it means to be a 'modern library'. These ideas inspire us to keep reimagining what our own spaces can look like.
Where to from here?
The future of libraries lies in balance. We must honour the past while embracing the tools of the future. A library should be a space where a grandmother can read folktales to her grandchild, and that same child can later explore a virtual museum or learn coding basics on a computer. It should be a sanctuary for both quiet reflection and creative discovery. To get there, we need policies that invest not just in technology but in training. We need partnerships between governments, private companies and communities to ensure that no child is left behind – whether they live in a city suburb or a distant village. Above all, we must remember that libraries are more than buildings and books, they are mirrors of possibility. In a digital world that often feels disconnected, libraries offer us a chance to slow down, connect and grow. With the right balance, they won’t just survive – they’ll lead us into the future.
*Linda Amadhila is an information professional at the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, and the views shared here are her own. She can be reached at [email protected]
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