Library vs Internet

If a search of a library catalogue is more likely to produce information that is more reliable (i.e. we know its source, it is seen as being created by people who are qualified) and appropriate, then why are we turning to the Internet more and more?


cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by Ѕolo

Perhaps because of:
The myriad of information
How responsive it is to the language we use - we do not need to speak the lingo of a cataloguer
Its accessibility
The instantaneous results (depending on the Internet connection of course) - you don't then have to go and find the information source after looking up its location.

There are many reasons, and I have a feeling the Internet is only going to get better at clarifying which sources are reliable, so that it competes with libraries even more - but these improvements will perhaps involve some cataloguing techniques.

I wonder what all this means for libraries in the long term? I can't imagine a world without libraries, but then I couldn't imagine a world without Angus and Robertson stores 6 months ago...