Tuesday, September 2, 2014

It's the End of the World As We Know It

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Remember that post I did last week on a floating library in New York City? I thought the concept was a pretty sweet idea, but now I've come across another unique library that's just plain wrong. I suppose in theory it can be called a library, but as far as I'm concerned, it's a big, fat, empty room. What in the world am I talking about? Read on . . .

It's the grand opening of Florida Polytechnic University's eBook only library. They spent $60 million on the joint and not a single print book in the place. Why oh why oh why? In their own words:
"We aim to help students become innovative problem-solvers and high-tech professionals through interdisciplinary teaching, leading-edge research and collaborative local, regional and global partnerships."
Yeah? Well what about the problem solving skills involved in dropping an entire card catalogue drawer on the floor and having to resort the dang cards? Indeed, I am that old.

Or what about the memory enhancing task of trying to recall if autobiographies are located in 920 or 921? Dewey decimal system, kids. Look it up.

Don't get me wrong. Ebooks have their place...located in the same room as print books. Now then, just to get that nasty taste out of our mouths, let's feast our eyeballs on some real libraries . . .




Ahh. Now that's what I'm talkin' bout!

4 comments:

Paula said...

Ew! That sounds like the worst room ever! I love being in rooms with real books, even if I'm reading on my Kindle. This sounds like a suicidal library.

Michelle Griep said...

A suicidal library? Stop giving them ideas!

Southern-fried Fiction said...

I grew up in a library. I spent nearly every Saturday morning in my local library, gathering up 2 or 3 books to be read that week. I'd find the books I wanted, then I'd read until lunchtime. There was a Rexall Drugstore across the street from the library that had a lunch counter. After lunch, I'd walk home with my books. I can't imagine a world without real libraries, nor do I care to!

chappydebbie said...

Wow....so wrong. What is it, a room filled with computers? I wonder what happens when a student needs multiple references....when working on research of any kind, there is nothing like having books spread out all around you, within easy reach. I guess you can have multiple tabs open on your computer. *shrugs* And I bet it smells sterile and cold.

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