The future is bright and confusing at the same time. Libraries are struggling to navigate economic constraints and an accelerating technology-driven world. Every decision made must be evaluated and weighed against the mission of the library. That mission will focus in some way on community service and providing access to information. As libraries advance, they will be required to do so in line with such ideals. In addition to maintaining these standards, libraries do not want to become irrelevant because they waited to see how technology would change instead of taking action (Law 15). Action must be taken, but the decision is how and to what extent technology should change library methods and services. A key part of the future of all libraries is the use of digital technology within the library area. Mitchell et al. reports that “web services, in a broad sense, will no longer be additional or peripheral services” (255). This is all well and good, but how do you choose a service, among the boundless ones available via the Internet and/or the world of software, that is both effective and efficient, in the future, so that users receive a quality service . A librarian must consider both the current patron and future patrons, many of whom will grow up with no idea what life was like before the Internet. Current Patrons There is a deep divide among the ranks of current patrons of current libraries. Although many contemporary users are technologically advanced enough to quickly Google a topic or access library resources remotely, there is still a large segment of users who use the library because they do not own a computer or the Internet. This digital divide must impact...... middle of paper ...... them to engage information users and add value to their organizations.Information Outlook, 13(8), 14.• 10. Bernadete Campello. (2009). Developing students' information skills in Brazilian school libraries: the role of the librarian. School Libraries Around the World, 15(1), 14.• 11.Myhill, M., Shoebridge, M., & Snook, L. (2009). Virtual research environments: a recipe book for web 2.0? (virtual research environments: problems and opportunities for librarians). Library Hi Tech, 27(2), 228. doi:10.1108/07378830910968182• Michael Stephens. (2011). Can we handle the truth? Library Journal, 136(1), 44.• Jeffrey Pomerantz. (2006). Collaboration as the norm in consultation work. References and User Services Quarterly, 46(1), 45.• Lili Luo. (2008). Chat baseline assessment: A framework of perspectives and measures. Reference Services Review, 36(1), 71-85. doi:10.1108/00907320810852041•