Editorial: Library future less murky in Santa Cruz

After a year’s worth of debate and planning, the future of the Santa Cruz County library system is becoming clear. There will be fewer true librarians, yet more access to information by way of electronic means and media.
It’s easy to get down about the changes, but libraries in Santa Cruz are becoming information centers — essentially, hubs for public information-gathering rather than sacred places where books are kept. After a hard-fought battle last year, all the branches in the system will remain open, many with longer hours. And with the new plan, though it unfortunately cuts the number of full-fledged librarians at many branches, Santa Cruz County libraries enter the 21st century.
The Internet and gadgets such as the iPad, smart phones and laptops have, figuratively speaking, knocked down the walls of libraries. Libraries will still be a safe space to study, read, or browse magazines and books. However, they will also be a place to use 21st-century technology provided via tax money by the government. This is an appropriate use of library-allocated taxpayer money.
In our view, the only logical model for maintaining the public library system is to invest in technology and provide a place for people to access technology free or for a very low cost.
Let’s be clear, the written word is in no danger of going the way the famous doomsday book “Fahrenheit 451” presented: banned from consumption. It’s just the opposite. There is more written content available than ever before, and there are many ways to consume it. The library system is adapting to technology.
That is a good thing, though there will certainly be some bumps and bruises along the way.