ABSTRACT
The chapter describes current and future challenges faced by public libraries in the digital era. More specifically, this chapter addresses the multidimensional impact of the technological shift on cultural industries, in general, and then on libraries, from the supply and the demand side perspectives, taking into account differences among types of libraries. It also deals with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on library provision. It discusses the extent to which, according to the recent literature, such shocks may represent a threat for libraries or, conversely, an opportunity. Some data on the current application of Digital Technologies in the library sector is also provided.
