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

And whats replacing it?

[Komarosu]

So, is it going to be replaced with a online library? Are they going to let students rely on Wikipedia for reference? what about all them books that are too old and fragile to be scanned. Seems like a very short sighted decision to me.

Neither does the sun

[elucido]

I don't think electricity will be our problem. We will sooner run out of oil.

Maybe we should all be learning all we can about science so we can survive peakoil. Hit the libraries!

Re:THANK YOU

[gowen]

This is the second time I've seen this story where they didn't mention the books were being moved

Erm... what about this part:

This summer, 90,000 volumes were transferred to other collections in the campus's massive library system

... when they say exactly that. If I were you, I'd work on your reading comprehension skills before I worried about library provision.