Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 82 3 M O N TA N A i n Y E A R S WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT WILL CHANGE MONTANA'S RURAL LIBRARIES OVER THE NEXT THIRTY YEARS? As Montana continues to see growth in its population, rural li- braries will need to grow as well. Many libraries that are currently considered "rural" may well be urban. Conversely, if populations within Montana gravitate toward larger urban centers, some rural libraries may find themszelves losing service populations. WHAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO MONTANA'S LIBRARIES IN 2051? Climate change and its repercussions will most likely be the chal- lenge not only to libraries but to the communities that they serve. HOW DO YOU SEE MONTANA'S GROWING POPULATION AFFECTING RURAL LIBRARIES IN 2051? As mentioned in the answer to Question #1, population growth will challenge rural libraries to expand their services. By that time perhaps many services will be virtual, but there will most likely always be a need for a physical place where community members can meet in person. As life gravitates more toward the virtual, it will be even more important to have face-to-face contact with others. DO YOU THINK THAT, EVEN IN A FU- TURE THAT IS LIKELY INCREASINGLY DIGITIZED, WE WILL STILL HAVE A NEED FOR ANALOG ARCHIVES? Although digitized resources will only continue to increase as an important presence in our lives, physical "analog" materials will still be around, even if it's in reduced numbers or relegated to archives. Having the original hardcopy texts will always be important to those doing research or to those with a preference for the comfort of "old-fashioned" books. DO YOU THINK THAT MONTANA'S RURAL LIBRARIES WILL BE AS IMPORTANT TO SMALL-TOWN COMMUNITIES IN 2051 AS THEY ARE NOW? Libraries are currently transforming into places that provide more than just books and DVDs. They have become dynamic centers of learning, places to meet, and keepers of the flame of social equity. They offer services that range from providing com- puter classes to fostering community gardens. Throughout his- tory libraries have changed to adapt to the needs of a particular generation. Rural libraries will most certainly choose to remain places that are aware and proactive to changing times. DO YOU THINK THE POSSIBILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON MONTANA'S RURAL LIBRARIES IN 2051? Environmental change will most assuredly have an impact on the communities that rural Montana libraries serve since Montana is such an agrarian state. Again, rural libraries will R U R A L L I B R A R I E S LIBRARIES ARE CURRENTLY TRANSFORMING INTO PLACES THAT PROVIDE MORE THAN JUST BOOKS AND DVDS. THEY HAVE BECOME DYNAMIC CENTERS OF LEARNING, PLACES TO MEET, AND KEEPERS OF THE FLAME OF SOCIAL EQUITY.

• Cover