The public is hungry for knowledge and information, the Library's basic products. The shift from a manufacturing to a knowledge economy puts a premium on workers' ability to keep learning after they enter the workforce. The Library has an important role in helping people gain knowledge to advance economically. Technology-aided services add new value to the Library's offerings. Demographic growth in two historic library user groups, children and retired persons, means the Library will have more customers, more influence and more pressure to perform.
Libraries face massive media competition for their customers' leisure time.
Technology companies and other information-hungry industries are hiring librarians away from their historic marketplace, causing a nationwide shortage of public librarians.