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NPR show: ‘If a library is Bookless, What’s in It?’ Maybe smell-searching?
February 28, 2006 | 4:51 am
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By David Rothman
Talk of the Nation audio–from NPR, via the Free Range Librarian. Guests came from the Denver and Charlotte, N.C., Libraries, as well as from the future-oriented DaVinci Institute.
Jo Haight-Sarling, a Denver staffer, said users of e-books and audio books were still relying on in-library services. Meanwhile DaVinci Director Thomas Frey, shown here, predicted searches based even on smells.
My big question: Will there be a major divergence between the institutional preservation and libraries’ traditional mission as encouragers of literacy and written culture? I’m all for multimedia in libraries. But if they don’t watch out for the written word, or, yes, the electronic equivalent, who will? Ideally, when libraries offer films remotely or on site, there will also be real-world or Web pointers to relevant p- and e-books.
Related: ‘Library will be the first in the nation to offer downloadable films, concert videos’ and the OCLC Perceptions report.
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Comments:
David, you just know I’ll jump in on this one! —
I believe libraries should offer/make accessible/preserve/advocate for the absolute best and highest regardless of format. However, I cannot imagine a world (and don’t want to) where libraries (and those of us who work in them) do not advocate for the written word (digital or otherwise) and making it accessible to everyone, regardless of income or status. Reading takes some effort. It takes some thought. This little bit of effort is rewarded a thousandfold – with increased creativity, imagination, interests in life etc. I grew up on a farm – tv had very little impact on us (1 or 2 black and white channels if we were lucky). Besides the usual outdoorsy activities, we read- a lot. We were rarely (if ever) bored. I cannot begin to describe the riches that experience bestowed on us. It has remained through the years. Personally, I believe digitial e-books can create and empower a new generation of enthusiastic readers. This is absolutely crucial. We are not just a bunch of hobby enthusiasts around here – the ideas advocated in Teleread and in other e-book forums are so very important. And I think/hope that some libraries at least, are listening.
Well put, Jake. Significantly, e-books could vastly expand the reading choices in rural areas. Thanks. David