We CAN be here in 200 years!

[Andrew Murgas]

The Internet is probably one of the largest known sources of 
data available to the public in History. Storing data and making sense 
of it [aka organizing it for accessibility, etc.] has been what Libraries 
have done best for centuries. It would be a shame to waste that expertise 
especially when it is sorely needed on the Internet the most. I think 
there will always be a purpose. 

Besides, I don't see closing down all libraries
because of Internet access ; there is something about holding that book in 
your hand and reading it that just can't be substituted with internet access.
There will hopefully ALWAYS be a need for that.

Humanity truly needs the time to catch up with the technology it created, 
but I hold a belief that the wisdom that is needed will come in time.

[get off soapbox, brush off soap, exit stage left.]


Andrew R. Murgas                               
Suburban Library System
murgasa at sls.lib.il.us                       
"Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness" - GR


On Tue, 18 Feb 1997, Russell Henning wrote:

> If the public is constantly reminded it can always get good help 
> and advice (technical, literary, reference, and otherwise) from 
> the library, the support for the institution will be there.
> 
> When things go wrong or when information just CAN'T be found, 
> not everyone has access to a WebHead at work, at school, in the 
> neighborhood, among the in-laws.  If we *gasp* MARKET the 
> library as THE Internet/Computer/Network/Peripheral/etc. source, 
> we will by default be seen in our communities as the 
> reference/research experts.  It can't be avoided; the two 
> concepts will become inseparable.
> 
> Herb White elaborates on the concept more completely in his 
> 2/15/97 Library Journal article: "Marketing as a Tool for 
> Destabilization."  
> 
> Available in finer media centers everywhere.
> 
> Russ
> rhenning at fsc.follett.com
> 
> "Whose opinions are etc., etc."
>