This is well over a year old now, but I just stumbled across the article in the past month, and I’m finding that I really like the idea. The Darien Statements on the Library and Librarians was written by John Blyberg, Kathryn Greenhill, and Cindi Trainor.

They list the role of the library as follows:

• Provides the opportunity for personal enlightenment.
• Encourages the love of learning.
• Empowers people to fulfill their civic duty.
• Facilitates human connections.
• Preserves and provides materials.
• Expands capacity for creative expression.
• Inspires and perpetuates hope.

The list the role of librarians as follows:

• Are stewards of the Library.
• Connect people with accurate information.
• Assist people in the creation of their human and information networks.
• Select, organize and facilitate creation of content.
• Protect access to content and preserve freedom of information and expression.
• Anticipate, identify and meet the needs of the Library’s community.

(Taken from http://www.blyberg.net/2009/04/03/the-darien-statements-on-the-library-and-librarians/ where you can access the entire document.)

One of the writers (I can’t remember which at the moment), commented that nowhere in the document did they mention buildings or places. Theoretically, all of this library-stuff can be done on the internet, without patrons and librarians ever coming face to face.

What do you think? Is this where libraries and librarians are headed? Are these duties as easy to fulfill on the web as they are in person?