What is the Role of the Library in the 21st Century?

This is a question that is asked on a number of library networking sites, and is one that I think will continue to be asked throughout the 21^st Century.  The role of a public library will change, but I think it will stay centered on entertainment, and information retrieval and dispersal.  Obviously, in the 21^st Century there is a greater emphasis on technology and libraries need to keep up with current and emerging technologies in order to provide the best service to their patrons.  Multiple points of access to information are key elements of library service in this new century.  As a trend, there is (and will be) less person- to-person contact, but patrons need more help in accessing “good and reliable” information.  Our role is to teach patrons how to access better quality resources than they would normally engage with on their own.  We can also identify resources that are off-site.  As librarians we must learn to provide resources when they are needed physically, or as web-based materials.  We also need to work to provide updated, relevant information.  In the 21^st century, libraries are also becoming more community-focused.  They provide activities, information instruction, educational support and popular resources.  They are still research centers and they continue to serve those who cannot provide technologies or information for themselves.  As in earlier centuries, libraries continue to be providers of public access to information for their communities.