Libraries were created under an economic model where it was more cost-effective to buy something a book, a video, a magazine and share it than to buy a copy for everyone. And for centuries this model has given libraries their value. But for the first time in history we are moving from a time of information scarcity to one of information abundance. Can we define why libraries are necessary when information is ubiquitous, more scalable, far more convenient, and often “free” online?

via Things That Keep Us Up at Night – 10/1/2009 – School Library Journal.