[366] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Child of Computerspeak
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (NICHOLAS ROSSELLI (219)980-6929)
Thu May 28 10:42:06 1992
Date: Thu, 28 May 1992 09:31:23 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: "NICHOLAS ROSSELLI (219)980-6929" <ROSSELLI%IUBACS.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Anders Thulin writes:
>Libraries should first and foremost preserve information in original
>form for as long as possible. That is, libraries are archives.
Well, I won't deny that that is the purpose for some libraries - the Library
of Congress, British Museum Library, and on a lesser scale the archives and
rare books collections in a number of universities. But *every* library?
Hardly!
The mania for preservation, the idea of "book as an intrinsically valuable
thing" gave us works chained to shelves, and libraries where the stacks were
closed to patrons - a sanctum sanctorum where only the "elect" could
venture. As a librarian, my purpose is to provide my patrons with the
information they need ... whether it be from my library or one across the
country or the world. And frankly I'll take it in whatever form I can get
it - a palm leaf book or an ASCII file. And the only purpose that I can see
for my library is to facillitate me in acheiving that goal.
Nicholas Rosselli - Electronic Reference Services - Indiana Univ. Northwest
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The opinions expressed are mine and do not reflect those of Indiana
University Northwest, or any other rational person. (Unless they want
them to.)
