I claim that this bookless library is a dream, a…
““I claim that this bookless library is a dream, a hallucination of on-line addicts; network neophytes, and library-automation insiders...Instead, I suspect computers will deviously chew away at libraries from the inside. They'll eat up book budgets and require librarians that are more comfortable with computers than with children and scholars. Libraries will become adept at supplying the public with fast, low-quality information. The result won't be a library without books--it'll be a library without value.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author warns that digital automation may erode libraries' core value, turning them into fast but shallow information sources.
In simple terms: Libraries risk losing depth as they become tech-focused.
Key Takeaway
Protect library depth and human expertise.
Themes
technology
information
value
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
analytical
warning
When to use this quote
- public libraries
- academic institutions
- policy discussions
Key Concepts
digital transformation
library science
budget cuts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can libraries balance tech and depth?
- What safeguards preserve library value?
A Different Perspective
Technology can also enhance access and preservation.