Re: "Is a Bookless Library Still a Library?"

Is this really a new controversy?   Seems like this is a Rolodex argument - every now and then it pops to the top of the list and then moves along.

It seems to  me that we had the same conversations 30+ years ago when online citation databases became available to libraries.    And even more recently, when publishers and aggregators made available the full text of journal articles digitally.  

Each time, the question "What is a library?   Does it have a reason to exist?" comes up.   And each time (at least so far), the outcome has been that selection/usage/knowledge/advice - the value added services provided by library personnel (often, but not always, in a physical library environment), is what gives the library it's raison d'être.

I'm somewhat disheartened by Mr. Huppert's assertion that librarians are nothing more than accountants.  I'm hoping he was saying it sardonically.

I'm more inclined to agree with Karen Coyle; that it is not *only* book and not *only* databases and not *only* personnel that gives the library its value - rather, it is the combination of all three that either makes a library valuable (or as sometimes happens, not.)


Ted
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Karen Coyle
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 9:33 AM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] "Is a Bookless Library Still a Library?"

That assumes that libraries provide no services around the materials  
-- that they simply license them and then leave the users to their own  
devices. Is that how you see libraries?

kc


Quoting Mark Huppert <Mark.Huppert_at_ANU.EDU.AU>:

> Librarians == accountants
>
> The main reason for libraries is efficiency. A centrally
> housed  and managed collection is a great time saver for the community.
>
> So is pooled acquisitions funding under central management.
>
> If everything literally goes electronic, managing the money becomes
> the main task of 'librarians'. Therefore they become accountants
> with good knowledge of the products they buy - a bit like department
> store Buyers.
>
> regards
>
> Mark
>
> ========================================
> Mark Huppert
> Library Systems and Web Coordinator
> Division of Information
> R.G. Menzies Building (#2)
> The Australian National University
> ACTON ACT 0200
>
> T: +61 02 6125 2752
> F: +61 02 6125 4063
> W: http://anulib.anu.edu.au/about/
>
> CRICOS Provider #00120C
> ========================================
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
>> [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Jim Weinheimer
>> Sent: Thursday, 14 July 2011 6:31 PM
>> To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
>> Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] "Is a Bookless Library Still a Library?"
>>
>> On Tue, Jul 12, 2011 at 10:50 PM, B.G. Sloan <bgsloan2_at_yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> > From Time magazine:
>> >
>> > "We've been hearing about it for years, but the bookless library has
>> > finally arrived, making a beachhead on college campuses. At Drexel
>> > University's new Library Learning Terrace, which opened just last
> month,
>> > there is nary a bound volume..."
>> >
>> > See: http://ti.me/ooq5PI
>> >
>>
>



-- 
Karen Coyle
kcoyle@kcoyle.net http://kcoyle.net
ph: 1-510-540-7596
m: 1-510-435-8234
skype: kcoylenet
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