Many of my classmates have given wonderful descriptions of the history of the internet.  I especially like David’s account.  So I decided, and hope that Michael approves, to write about the history of the internet as it relates to libraries.  Much of this post will be dervided from the IMLS study “InterConnections“. 

The question the IMLS wanted to answer was whether or not the internet was replacing libraries.  They stated,

Museums and libraries have long been sources of recreation, learning and information for personal, family, educational and workplace purposes. However, the Internet, Web and other technologies have become an increasingly used source of information that some believe will largely replace their physical counterparts. On the other hand, some have speculated that the Internet and related technologies will actually enhance and increase museum and library use. There is no solid evidence to support either assertion, particularly considering the wide range in types of museums and libraries.

What did they find?  They found that Libraries and Museums are the MOST trusted sources of information for the more than 1,700 adults surveyed.  They also found that nearly half of information seekers use the internet, libraries and museums.

The best results of the survey found that 

“In 2006 remote online access increased adult visits to museums by 75%

and to public libraries by 73% (while in-person visits have increased over

time).” and that “

Public library in-person visits per capita have increased 26% over the past

13 years.”
How cool is that! The internet has increased both trust in libraries and number of visits.  So how does this relate to the history of the internet?  Well the report summarizies

The on-line information environment has changed dramatically since the
earliest on-line systems emerged in the early 1960s. Growth has occurred
both in the number of users of on-line information as well as in the number of
on-line information resources and providers. The rate of growth in each of
these areas increased exponentially with the availability of the public Internet
and the World Wide Web. These foundational technological developments
created an environment in which almost anyone can “publish” or function as
an information provider and have virtually instantaneous access to massive
volumes of information.

So the history of the internet is also a history of libraries. The library has moved from the physical building to the “galatic network”. As the internet has gone everywhere so has the library.