Wired Recognizes Challenge
The August 2005, issue of Wired magazine arrived in yesterday’s post. I ripped open the plastic cover and settled into my easy chair last night to explore the cutting edge of technology and culture in this slick, edgy periodical. Along with a million-dollar production car, the Bugatti Veyron, digital images on Japanese school girl's nails, and the latest movie news was a side bar that really caught my eye, “Will the Internet put public libraries out of business?”
What followed was a brief overview of the debate in library circles. It is summed up in three quotes from some leading figures in the field – libraries will change roles but continue to be the storehouse and gate keeper of information in the community, Sue Davidsen; electronic access may draw clientele but books will keep satisfying a need to read in the public, Michael Gorman; the library is all ready on its way out and public money will be shifted to more pressing needs, Jessamyn West. (The side bar is found on page 30 of the Aug. 2005 issue.)
Wired is good at side bars but much more can and will be said on this topic. How about continuing the debate here – post your comments!
What followed was a brief overview of the debate in library circles. It is summed up in three quotes from some leading figures in the field – libraries will change roles but continue to be the storehouse and gate keeper of information in the community, Sue Davidsen; electronic access may draw clientele but books will keep satisfying a need to read in the public, Michael Gorman; the library is all ready on its way out and public money will be shifted to more pressing needs, Jessamyn West. (The side bar is found on page 30 of the Aug. 2005 issue.)
Wired is good at side bars but much more can and will be said on this topic. How about continuing the debate here – post your comments!
posted by Ruth Ann Stites | 11:17 AM
1 Comments:
I liked your comments. I most identify with Gorman's remarks that even though libraries may draw clientele because of their up-to-date accoutrements yet books will continue to satisfy the public's need to read - and to read in-depth.
The danger I see is in the increasing icon and wordless sign reading (like the "wordless book") we are required to do in public places, the movies, and on machinery of all sorts. (I usually opt for the subtitles or the voice descriptions in a movie) It threatens our minds with wordless concepts that lead to vague ideas and behavior based on impressions instead of words.
Books are vital as a defense against this process of deterioration in how we think. Libraries, as gateways to and storehouses of information, must also encourage patrons and students to find delight in knowing and using words.
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