On 3/18/07, William Denton <wtd_at_pobox.com> wrote:
> I recommend Vernor Vinge's 2006 novel RAINBOWS END to anyone thinking
> about the future of libraries.
I started to search this in my local public library's catalog
(figuring MPOW wouldn't have it), but then thought, sort of in keeping
with this thread, to use Worldcat instead.
http://worldcat.org/search?q=rainbow%27s+end+vinge
A-yup... no local copies.
The same search in Google, no surprise, doesn't have anything about
library holdings in the top-ranked search results.
http://www.google.com/search?q=rainbow%27s+end+vinge
So, we have a way to go before most libraries can feel comfortable
letting the catalog "disappear into the Net". The question is then, if
Google's and Yahoo's hooks into open Worldcat aren't bubbling up in
common searches now, what will it take to change things so they do?
That seems a good first place to start.
Tom
Received on Sun Mar 18 2007 - 12:00:24 EDT