Point/Counterpoint in L&L

Happy to see the question: Do Schools Still Need Bricks and Mortar Libraries? debated in Leading & Learning this month. Note that it is online as well and readers can leave comments.

And when exactly did I go from being the young cute guy to the old grumpy one in most situations?

Comments

[Jim Randolph]

There may be a day when we don't "need" physical books, but I hope that day is far away. I can't imagine a computer screen or eReader that could make cuddling with my daughter and reading picture books anywhere near as wonderful. But your argument for the physical space of the library/learning commons/whatever you want to call it--is great. The graduate school I attend is new and contemporary and not unlike walking around in the starship Enterprise. The library has some newspapers, magazines, work tables and computer terminals. Not a book in sight. The librarian can get you anything in the university system and help you navigate innumerable databases and show you all kinds of evaluative tricks. He likes to say that when he's in the room, it's a library, but when he steps out it's just a computer lab.

[AnnWS]

How do you get your quote on a Starbucks cup--forget the cute vs grumpy?

[Donna Baumbach]

We like you grumpy.

[Tim Staal]

Thanks for your article, Doug - I don't think you're an old grumpy - just a touch of the wisdom of experience. In some ways this whole discussion reminds me of discussions around any new media - We old guys remember folks talking about how TV would replace radio, then CD's would replace LP's, then mp3's would replace both, etc. There will be change in how we use different media, and some print media will be replaced (newspapers anyone?), but we will always have a need for all kinds of media and a need for librarians / media specialists / informologists to help us learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each format and to help us find, organize, analyze, evaluate, use, synthesize and apply the information found in the sources. We also need the space in libraries to work, collaborate, organize, etc.
Thanks!

[Doug Johnson]

HI Ninja,

Great quote from your librarian - and accurate. I always include in my talks that the one thing your library has that the Internet never will, is YOU.

Thanks for the comment,

Doug

HI Ann,

That was the cute guy that got his quote on the Starbucks cup. I'm the old grumpy one, remember?

Doug

Thanks, Donna. t comes easier the older I get!

Doug

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the comment. As I envision future libraries, I always keep my grandsons in mind and the kind space I want them to be able to use and enjoy. Just seems the world would be a darker place with library spaces, even in the digital world.

Maybe I am now sentimental as well as grumpy!

[Steve Johnson]

For what it's worth, I'm young, not so cute, but totally agree with your position.

And as for sentimental vs. grumpy- I think that comes with age, too. My Dad (former Navy commander once feared in all ways at home) now watches chick flicks and cries. Not sure what to do with the guy anymore. =)

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your comment.

Do I have chick flicks and weeping in my future? Thanks!

All the best,

Doug