One might argue that libraries are a failure at promoting education. A litany of insults has been directed at libraries and their perceived uselessness, whether the library is archaic, a "taxpayer-funded Internet café," or "free movie rentals for the Scrooges of the community." But these detractors often forget that a core mission of the library is literacy.
This is not an argument that libraries should become the sole proprietors of the mission to teach citizens the art of reading. The literacy that libraries have long emphasized is the art of information literacy. The 21st century librarian's job is much harder: to teach the average user the art of being "literate" with the vast amounts of information available whether in digital or print format.
Who is helping them make sense of this information overload? And just because a user has the means does not mean they have the knowledge to use the privilege of access in a meaningful way. I disagree that we will need fewer librarians and actually believe we will need more. Just because people can search for information does not mean they know how to do so well. 21st librarianship is about providing access to and curation of information and helping people find it.