New Library Chief Sees Bright Future in Books & Technology

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published August 12, 2008 at 7:15 AM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

What's the future of libraries? And will San Diego ever see a new central library downtown? We'll talk with the new director of the San Diego Public Library about her vision for the library system.

Alan Ray : In the late 1940s and early '50s, everybody was quite sure television would be the death of radio. But, here we are.

More recently, it seemed logical, with the rise of the Internet, that libraries were doomed. At the moment the death of the library seems greatly exaggerated.

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But public resources are squeezed, and, to many public officials, libraries may seem too much a luxury to spend public money on.

What is the future of the library, in general? And more specifically, is there a new central library for San Diego anywhere in the future?

Guest :

Deborah Barrow , new director of the San Diego Public Library.