Band 8 Essay: Public libraries are no longer required because of the internet

Essay prompt

With the availability of information on the internet, public libraries are no longer necessary. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Here are some band 8 essay samples on this topic. Need help with IELTS writing? Get your IELTS essays, letters and reports corrected by me.

Band 8 essay sample 1

It is often argued that public libraries have become redundant because of the easy availability of information online. However, I totally disagree with this idea. It is true that all information known to the mankind is now available on the internet. Internet accessibility has also improved over the years. However, this does not mean that public libraries are no longer needed.

Libraries are much more than mere access points for books and information. They serve some other purposes as well. For example, libraries provide a quiet environment where one can read and learn. Distractions of everyday life can kill the joy of reading. Libraries offer a solution to this problem.     Also, when you are in an environment where everyone is reading, you will also be motivated to get your reading done. This may not be possible at home, even if you can find the same reading material online.

The internet is a vast pool of information but if you don’t know what you are looking for, it is nearly impossible to find relevant information online. Libraries, on the other hand, make research easier by grouping books on a particular topic together. Even if you don’t know anything about a given topic, you will still be able to find relevant information on that topic. Today’s libraries also provide access to computers and tablets so that users can search online if they need more information on a topic.

Internet accessibility may have improved over the years, but there are still millions of people who do not have access to the internet. Public libraries are the only sources of information for them. If libraries were to die, they would be in trouble.

To conclude, despite the existence of all information online, libraries are still important because they provide an environment conducive to reading and learning.

Band 8 essay sample 2

Now that information is readily available online, some people argue that it is no longer necessary to maintain public libraries. I do not agree with this argument. While I do admit that libraries have lost some of their relevance, they still serve a purpose and hence should be protected.

Public libraries keep a huge curated collection of authoritative books on a variety of topics. Also, the atmosphere inside the library is conducive to reading. There are hardly any distractions. Consequently, readers can pay total attention to the material they are referring. The presence of other readers in the library also encourages many read. Better still, many of these libraries charge only a nominal subscription fee and hence they are accessible to all sections of the society.

Information online, on the other hand, may or may not be authentic. There is no one to check the veracity of content posted on online and as such online sources of information are not always reliable. Anyone who has access to a computer or a smartphone and an internet connection can post content online. There are several harmful consequences to using this information for studies or research. Also, since a vast pool of data is available online, it is not easy for someone to figure out which source of information they should use. This is not the case with books that can borrowed by public libraries. They are authored by subject experts and edited and revised by people who are authorities in their respective field of study. For these reasons, it is still important to maintain public libraries.

In conclusion, though a lot of information is available online, libraries still serve a purpose because they provide a huge collection of authoritative books and a distraction free atmosphere suitable for reading and learning.

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