In today’s show, Jason and Kevin take a close look at the future of the library. Libraries aren’t fusty old buildings with mildewed books any more. Today, they serve as community centers and digital outposts designed to help people get things done and discover new skills. In fact, some libraries are getting in on the maker trend.

The maker movement seeks to transform community centers, like the library, into places to create. Are librarians up for the new information era, where books are only one of many ways to gain new knowledge and learn new skills?

Show notes:

• Why Your Library May Soon Have Laser Cutters and 3-D Printers by Clive Thompson (Wired)
• What Will Become of the Library? by Michael Agresta (Slate)
• Pew’s research into the future of libraries
• Library as incubator project
• Why Libraries Should Be the Next Great Start-Up Incubators
• Florida Polytechnic University’s library with no books

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