Libraries vs Google? Are we really heading there?

A good library is needed now more than ever in this generation where social media is taking over

By Priyashree Sharma Ph

The Education minister, Th Radheshyam Singh practically obliterated the importance of libraries in the schools and colleges of Manipur when he opined that libraries could be replaced by Google as it provides all the required information. He said this in the light of his visits to various schools and colleges where he found battered, cobwebbed ridden rooms with little to no books on the shelves as libraries.

It is doubtful whether he meant it ironically and took the route of a sarcastic jibe or he actually meant it in its entirety and thinks Google can actually replace libraries. Honestly, if it’s the former then kudos to his witty remark. But if it’s the latter one need to be careful because the very person responsible for education thinks Google is the all-encompassing knowledge bubble where all the information in the world resides. 

What is disturbing is that the solution sought for unkempt, disarrayed libraries is not an official direction from the Ministry for better upkeep and proper maintenance. If Google provides all the information then why are there still major libraries thriving throughout the world? Granted the libraries in Manipur do need modernisation and better functioning albeit some major changes. For a library to run with efficiency a constant flow of funding is required without which it would be hard to function in this ever changing socio-economic equilibrium and the government should play an important role in keeping the libraries updated.

Truth be told, I don’t think I would ever have been able to read a Harvard Law Review without the facilities of my college library as they are massively expensive, also one simply cannot access these on Google considering they are copyright protected.

One cannot deny how useful Google is but when a student needs to write a paper on a certain topic or needs analytical or thorough research for a project, one cannot find all the information in it. Yes, Google does give a certain direction as to ‘where to look for the information’.

It may show snippets of the topic written by a certain author but definitely not the entire content, so if a person cannot afford to purchase the said book then what would be the next step? It obviously would be logical to go to a library and look for the book. Also, during a research a student sometimes only need a single chapter for reference from a particular book, without an access to a proper library, where would the student go? Google? Probably to try their luck but will they find the required information?

A Library is a space, a safe space for everyone who loves to read or learn or research. A good library is needed now more than ever in this generation where social media, memes, online gaming et al is taking over. A proper library creates a healthy relationship between the students and information. A shabby and dodgy library would naturally repulse anyone. No one wants to go read or think or acclimatize in a dingy, dirty and dilapidated space. Therefore, a proper library with properly trained librarians with proper degrees should be hired. The better a librarian is at the job, the number of people accessing the library would escalate.

(The writer is a law student)