[PLUG-TALK] [PLUG] The end of libraries

[Bill Barry]

Here is an old story of libraries "protecting" their books. I was in
school many years ago. It was late in the afternoon and I discovered a
major mistake I had made in some analysis. As I was trying to correct
my mistake I discovered someone else's mistake in the paper I was
referring to. The paper gave a reference, but the book it referred to
was not in the college's library. The internet was still a fledgeling,
but the University of Pennsylvania library had their catalog online
via gopher (or maybe WAIS?) They did have the book. It was late at
night, I had a deadline to fix my paper by the next day, it was about
an hour drive to Philadelphia to the library. I got there and found
out they had a guard and would only allow University of Pennsylvania
students and faculty into the library. My wife and I then proceeded
around the outside of the library looking for another door, which we
did find and upon entering we found ourselves in a large darkened
room. In the middle of that room was The ENIAC computer.  They had
guarded the front doors of the library but left a historical treasure
open and unguarded. To top it off there was a door from that room into
the library where I was able to find and photocopy the parts of the
book I needed.

I don't know why the University of Pennsylvania library felt the need
to guard their books, perhaps they were having trouble with theft or
something.  I also am not sure why paper versions of research books
and journals are disappearing so quickly from the libraries. I am not
so sure that it is just book publishers looking to corner the market
and create a monopoly.

Bill