Brick and mortar libraries

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Greene on October 5, 2009 at 10:27am

I couldn't agree with you more about libraries. For me, libraries have always been a place of solace and peace, where I can skim through the isles and peruse the books. They are also a place to come together with other people for the purpose of seeking knowledge. While, as you said, libraries may change their look and function, it would be truly a great loss if we sacrificed the idea of the library all together simply because we are able access the same information digitally from home.

Sarah Greene
BGSU Student Teacher
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Katona on October 5, 2009 at 6:43pm

I agree. I can see the benefit of digitizing all of our documents so that they can last for future generations in a good condition and so that they can reach a wide range of people by sending a digital version instead of the whole artifact. Although, I think there is something to be said for learning through the actual original documents. You can learn so much from the materials used and the format that it was created in, much of which is lost through a digital version. I collect old newspapers because I find them such interesting artifacts. I could just read the articles online, but I find them so much more interesting and real when I read them in the format that they were originally created to be viewed in. I would be very sad to see a lack of physical evidence of our world, because it has been replaced by computers.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Nejedly on October 7, 2009 at 12:43pm

I think digital documents go a long way to preserve older documents which have value. On the other hand, there is something special for a student to be able to have something tangible in front of them. This is not always possible due to availability and aging of documents. This is why transforming artifacts to digital form is so great. It allows students to see documents that in previous years were unavailable to them.

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Permalink Reply by Michael R. Slone on October 7, 2009 at 6:54pm

Could not agree with you more, Jo Anne! For me, libraries have always elicited feelings of awe and wonderment. Whether it be my university library or the cozy local libraries my Grandmother used to take me to on Saturday mornings in Stark County, Ohio, I have always cherished my trips to the library. The library represents something romantic and--given the digital age--sentimentally inexpressible. No worries here, though; I remain optimistic that these archives of knowledge will survive as long as civilization needs perpetuation. At the very least, the fact that I have had FIVE flash drives go corrupt in the past two years should serve as consolation to those who share our appreciation. I realize that for some this post likely reeks of nostalgia, but we would be remiss as a society if we allow libraries and print media to fall by the wayside. Aside from being the most helpful and kindly individuals I encounter in my daily travels, librarians represent something far more idealistic than their job descriptions can convey--they are keepers of history and knowledge. Ponder this question: have you ever met a librarian that was not helpful and enthusiastic about their job?--I certainly have not, and I spend a lot of time working with librarians. I am so thankful for these professionals who, all too often, go without thanks for what they do. Next time you are in your local library, remember this all-important human "resource" and offer them your gratitude. Unlike your computer hard drive, I am sure they will appreciate the gesture.

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