Books and Ebooks - Library Service in a Digital Age

The Pew Institute recently published their most recent study on Library services in a digital age.  The results are very interesting - people want more digital services (this was no surprise to me), but they also still value print books and the more traditional library services. 

Based on the results of this recent survey, here in Huntington Beach we are giving people what they want - we still have a large print collection AND we are growing our EBook collection (even with the challenges in the EBook market).  We provide each of the services identified as being of value in the study - and we are doing an especially good job on providing programs and services for Early Childhood Literacy. 

I admit that most of the results of the study were no surprise - libraries reflect their communities, and our community is diverse.  So our range of services is diverse, and it looks like it needs to continue that way for at least the near future.  And things keep changing - new technologies emerge, and then are rapidly replaced or superceded by the next new thing.  Video gave way to DVDs which are now giving way to Streaming video.  Streaming Video and Audio are now available for libraries - not to mention mobile services and Apps that help people use their libraries more effectively.  We just keep adding on, and the challenge is how to balance the new with the old, just as it always has been.  (Am I just getting old?  This doesn't sound like anything new.  Maybe it is just the pace that is changing...) 

The one finding that I do think is interesting - most people (80% of those surveyed)felt that Reference Librarians were a VERY important service for libraries.  Naturally, I do too, but our reference service has changed dramatically in just a few years - most of our professional librarians are working behind the scenes now, managing schedules, developing and delivering training, handling contracts and doing quality control and then, OCCASIONALLY getting to do some real reference work for a member of the public.  But the nature of the questions that come to us has really changed - people really seem to want directional assistance or reader's advisory.  Real, meaty, in depth reference questions are just not being asked all that often. 

So what is it about librarians that people value?  Is it the personal touch?  Many customers seem to prefer taking care of themselves.  But I do see others that really value the personal contact and service that all our librarians and library staff provide.  What do you think?