Libraries must become digital empowerment hubs, says minister

Libraries must transform into digital empowerment hubs to keep pace with the demands of a rapidly advancing global economy, Minister of State for Youth and Culture Senator Shane Archer has said.

Senator Archer made the call as he delivered the keynote address at the National Library Service’s (NLS) inaugural symposium on“The Future of Libraries: Embracing Technology, Strengthening Community Engagement and Sustaining Development in a Digital Era”. The event, held at the Hilton Barbados Resort, focused on redefining the role of libraries in a fast-changing digital landscape.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Sen Archer pointed to strong usage figures as evidence that libraries remain relevant.

In 2025, the National Library Service recorded over 47 000 visits, including 32 000 adults and over 15,000 children. Over 16 000 users accessed computer and internet services through the library network. Over 14 000 new members were registered, and there were over 44 000 loans.

“These figures are proof of trust, proof of relevance, proof that Barbados still see libraries as gateways to advancement,” he said. 

But he stressed that maintaining relevance requires bold repositioning.

“As we push forward into a digital economy powered by artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics, the question before us is whether libraries matter. It is whether they are being positioned boldly enough to anchor our transformation.”

Sen Archer argued that modern libraries must go beyond being quiet reading spaces.

“A modern Barbados library must be more than a quiet reading space; it must be a digital empowerment hub in a nation pursuing digital transformation,” he said.

He outlined a vision that includes AI-powered research tools, digital literacy and coding workshops, AI literacy programmes to help young people “not just use AI but build and regulate it”, and innovation labs equipped with design software, data tools and emerging technologies. Libraries, he added, should also support entrepreneurs with digital market intelligence resources and serve as co-working and collaborative spaces.

Warning that artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape society, Sen Archer said equitable access is critical.

“Artificial intelligence will reshape education, business, governance and culture. If we fail to allow access to these tools, we risk deepening inequality,” he said. “But if we use our library network strategically, we can ensure that a young person in St Lucy has the same digital access as the one in Bridgetown.”

He added that digital transformation is “not only about infrastructure; it is about inclusion” and about equipping citizens with the skills to thrive in a global digital marketplace.

Director of the National Library Service, Jennifer Yarde, said the symposium’s theme was intentionally selected to reflect both current realities and future possibilities.

“This theme was chosen very deliberately. It reflects both the realities we face and the possibilities before us,” she said. “Each element – embracing technology, strengthening community engagement and sustaining development – represents a critical pillar of our work.”

Yarde emphasised that modern libraries are “no longer defined by shelves” but serve as hubs of digital literacy, cultural preservation, research support and innovation.

She also underscored the NLS’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that libraries are intentionally designed to ensure that people who are visually impaired and individuals living with other disabilities can access information through assistive technologies and accessible formats that uphold dignity and independence.