College Libraries Without Books

Groo writes to tell us CBS News is reporting that books are a thing of the past at a University of Texas library this fall. The University will be converting the library to a 'social gathering place more akin to a coffeehouse.' This push is done in response to the increasing use of online research as a part of undergraduate studies. According to the article the missing books will be replaced by "colorful overstuffed chairs for lounging, barstools for people watching, and booths for group work. In addition to almost 250 desktop computers, there will be 75 laptops available for checkout, wireless Internet access, computer labs, software suites, a multimedia studio, a computer help desk and repair shop, and a cafe."

Comments

Re:Uh

[Cerv]

So what you're saying is that you're not capable of finishing even The Da Vinci Code or the Harry Potter books?

Can you in fact tie your own shoelaces?

No Books = Bad

[nurb432]

Having the *option* of using digital formats is ok, but once you eliminate books, you run a high risk of losing knowledge.

"that book isn't acceptable now" ( such as some of the classics we read back when i was in high school have now been banned from schools as 'racist' books ).

Or when the government decides its not permissible to know something " sorry that book is also inaccessible without a level 7 clearance ".

Or even the easy rewriting of history becomes possible. If you can change all the copies at once ( old copies are removed via DRMized revision systems ), then who is to have proof of how it really happened?

At least if you have a real paper book, its harder to suppress the information once it falls out of favor with the 'authorities'.

Even something as benign as honest mistakes, or dropping of 'unimportant chapters' in revisions.. who would know?

Call me paranoid, but if you were my age, you would have seen the attempted suppression of knowledge happen first hand..