Libraries Lost

In response to Fred White's article, Libraries Lost: Storage Bins and Robotic Arms, I'd have to say that I agree with White on many points.

White writes about how many libraries are quickly shifting from using books as resources to computer and internet research. While the internet is an extremely beneficial and convenient source to find information, the importance of books cannot and should not be overlooked during this shift. White states that many librarians no longer see the importance of "browsing", and by scanning books onto the web, it will be much easier to eliminate pointless browisng that many do in the library and people will be able to go straight to the source that they need once everything is available online. But White also states the importance of browsing and why it should remain in the process of searching for resources. White says, "An important stage of research is searching, and a crucial part of that process is serendipity — the happy accidents of discovery that stem from intellectual and imaginative readiness, not simply, as some believe, from a haphazard stumbling onto things." This couldn't be more true.

I believe that many people will lose important information that they would discovered by stumbling upon it, rather than looking for it. Sometimes people find the best information or learn important things when they are not realizing it - in White's words; a happy accident. Browsing is easy to do in a library but may not be as easy to do on the internet. Although the information is available on the web, people may not "stumble" across it if they are not looking for it. It is much easier to find things that you weren't originally looking for in a library than on the internet.

Another point that White writes about is the aesthetic side to books. In my opinion, I think that there is something extremely comforting and relaxing by reading a book. It's a way to escape to a new world and it's a way to just wind down and relax. It's definitely a way to cure bordem on a cold winter's night. Although I do enjoy my time on the internet and I find it incredibley resourceful and entertaining, I can get bored and restless if I am staring at a computer screen for an extended period of time. While reading from a book, I seem to lose track of time and find myself absorbed in it and sometimes it's hard to put the book down. I often don't get that same feeling when I am on the computer. It's a nice feeling to have when reading a book and I truly would feel it would be a shame if people do not experience that feeling due to the phasing out of books.