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!