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Subject: MAPS-L: Academic libraries empty stacks for online centers
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005
From: Joel Kovarsky <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Joel Kovarsky <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]


One wonders if your judgement, though understandable, isn't a bit
premature and harsh. After all, paper, books, printing press, radio,
television, etc. were all major reformers in their time. And even when
reading the controversial article, there is still reference to the
physical collection moved elsewhere, hence maintenance of the concept of
book as object, not necessarily just an intellectual reference source.
There was no indication of UT dismantling special collections, etc. As
to the flood of information, well...

              Joel Kovarsky

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian P. Bach
Sent: Aug 23, 2005 3:06 PM


All,

In my opinion, this sort of pathway (indicated in the story link below)
is a perfect example of the rash decisions now being made in many
resource institutions. In witnessing such choices, one has to wonder if
a complete callousness for the future happens to result from supposedly
'practical' decisions in the present.

Question: are we going to preserve this thing we call 'civilization'
(as we know it today), or not? For some bizarre and pathetic reason, I
still cling to the concept that libraries just might possibly be
involved in establishing and sustaining a semblance of stability and
sanity, particularly in a world which, as evidence every day
demonstrates, happens to be at a crossroads.

Non-cynically (honest!) yours,

Brian

Brian P. Bach
Documents/Maps
Brooks Library
Central Washington University
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
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