Shaping the Future of Libraries: Community, Technology, and Access

Libraries carry many identities at once: community anchor, technology hub, cultural guardian, and place of refuge. On September 24, 2025, the Social Impact Lab’s Community Conversations Series at the Yale School of Management (SOM) explored these roles in a lively discussion on the Future of Libraries that drew students and library professionals alike. The panel featured Laura Pappano, award-winning journalist and founder of The New Haven Student Journalism Project; Luis Chavez-Brumell ’25, Deputy Director of the New Haven Free Public Library; and Barbara Rockenbach, University Librarian at Yale. Golub Capital Board Fellows Meghan Tao ’26 (Blackstone Memorial Library) and Kate Zolner ’26 (Wallingford Public Library) moderated.

Panelists underscored the many ways that libraries matter to communities. Chavez-Brumell called them “in the human potential business,” describing libraries as judgment-free spaces that fuel imagination, advance opportunity, and foster connection. Rockenbach highlighted the evolution of the Yale University Library’s mission-- growing its engagement with the broader public, and the potential for collaborative initiatives such as shared training with community libraries.

The moderators asked the panelists about the growing pressures facing libraries--- from censorship to resource constraints,-- and how those pressures are reshaping how libraries define and defend their roles. Pappano warned that universal access is under threat, citing rules in some states restricting materials and access for young readers. Chavez-Brumell noted that public awareness of libraries’ importance has increased because of these developments. In Connecticut, this has galvanized support for recent legislation affirming libraries as hubs for free expression and recognizing the expertise of professional librarians.

The conversation was wide-ranging, reflecting how libraries are evolving to meet growing demands. Panelists touched on the changing roles of library workers, the multifaceted expertise of librarians, funding challenges, the role of internet access, and even the importance of libraries as warming centers.

Zolner and Tao queried the panelists about the impact of AI on libraries. Libraries are navigating AI’s opportunities and risks—helping patrons use it responsibly while leveraging it to promote literacy and guide people through an ever-growing sea of information. Rockenbach emphasized the importance of supporting the least proficient users of AI to guard against a growing gap between those with and without access to knowledge. Participants described experiments with new digital platforms and other strategies to ensure equitable access to technology and opportunities to develop technological skills.

Pappano urged students to track public policy debates that impact library funding and library access. All three panelists emphasized that libraries have become more-- not less-- important in recent years: as places where knowledge circulates, ideas spark, and communities strengthen.

Reflecting afterward, Bryan Marquet '26 noted, “I appreciated the diverse perspectives shared by the presenters...how aware they were of the moment and how they balanced addressing current needs with thinking strategically for the long term.” Zolner commented that “hearing how libraries are tackling issues from technology to community connection was really inspiring and energizing. It made me eager to share those perspectives with the Wallingford Public Library board as we look ahead to what’s next.”