Kevin: In my comments I do not discount libraries as collectors and purveyors of books or physical collections. I acknowledge that libraries are still relevant to a great number of people for a great number of reasons. I am simply pointing out that we are not relevant to another group, and that we should become relevant to that group if we want to keep libraires open, and moving forward (some of these folks consider libraries a virtue, like me, but that won’t keep the lights on!) Also, don’t be so quick to undermine the power, intelligence, wit of the group who *thinks* they don’t need the library. The Internet facilitates much more than the latest headlines. It is also a house of knowledge … the knowledge of the community using the Internet. I’m just saying that we should tap in and value that as well. My post is a challenge to libraries to serve this community as well.

Chris: I’m glad you found this post! The Seattle Public Library has many digital projects underway. The next time you’re there, check-in with any library staff person and they’ll show you what they’re doing, and what’s to come!

Not long ago people went to libraries just to find books, read books, consult records, to do research, and little else. Now you make it seem as if those things are totally irrelevant to what you call your culture.

Anyone who cares about the past cannot afford to abandon books. Most books are not available in electronic formats and paper is not going away any time soon — at least, for anyone who wants to know about the past (more than a few years ago). The suggestion that libraries are irrelevant surely needs to be qualified. I find it incredible that the discussion about the relevance of the library treats it solely as if it were intended to be an internet cafe.

Does anyone really think that books and written records are irrelevant? I suggest that those who do get an education. If your “daily information needs” are limited to chatting with friends and checking the strengths of the latest peer pressures, you probably had no business being at the library to begin with.

Libraries were intended to be houses of knowledge. There’s more to know than the latest headlines. I just hope that library scientists will agree with me.

I’m a Seattleite as well and the new Central Library is just simply amazing and beautiful. I was actually there yesterday, on my way there later this morning and tomorrow as well. You see, I have a full time job, and a full time college student (don’t ask me how, even *I* don’t know how I’m doing it) and I’ve got papers to write.

I tried reading back for what y’all think on Google’s and Yahoo’s ideas to digitize library materials? But perhaps I missed a post, could you point me in the right direction or comment?

Personally, as one who embraces digital technology I think this would be a great boon to a great many people all over the world. Obviously DRM restrictions as we’ve learned can be put onto anything, music, movies, e-books, so why not library materials? I think it would be a great thing to use my library card number to logon to the Seattle Library, find a book and “check-out” the e-book for it’s normal period after which point it removes itself much like downloaded rentable movies do. Ever tried Movielink or Cinemanow? I believe that DRM can prevent printing or copying or even highlighting/copying/pasting. I’m not 100% positive though. I believe the technology is there to implement such a system.