Are Libraries Obsolete? An Argument for Relevance in the Digital Age

The cover cleverly appears to depict a row of library bookshelves in a showdown against a bank of computer servers. I wish the book itself were as clever. As a dean of library services, Herring not surprisingly supports libraries and librarians but he does not present balanced arguments. In fact, this book is one long emotional rant against everything Internet, beginning with: "I do not think this is merely some academic argy-bargy between hysterical librarians on the one hand and Internet lickspittles on the other." [p. 16] He states that he will start by revisiting his "10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library" although he doesn't actually list those reasons in this book. You can however easily find the original list show more using Google. Herring peppers his writing with foreign phrases such as pons asinorum and quellenforschung. Again, a quick Google search will provide the translation should you need it.

Herring complains about faulty search engine results and disappearing websites and then spends several pages telling us there's pornography, fraud, hate groups, gambling, stupidity and cat pictures on the web. Like Capt. Renault, I’m shocked, shocked to learn such things are on the internet! Herring laments that libraries have to spend large amounts of money to purchase proprietary aggregate databases which may differ from the printed version, "if in fact there is a print one." (How can the electronic version differ from a non-existent printed version?) He then states that the printed version may not include the graphics. This would seem to argue for the superiority of electronic files over printed files—the exact opposite of the point he was pressing.

Shortly after bemoaning the problem of broken and dead links, Herring relates a story about a trial patient who died because the researcher did not see a warning against using the protocol for patients with certain conditions. The warning had not been included with the online database. Herring does not provide a citation for this event other than to say he had written about it in an earlier book. An uncited source is just as bad as a link that no longer works.

Herring doesn't so much as present reasons why libraries mustn't become obsolete as he worries about the web. It has too much misinformation and disinformation, there is no guarantee of permanence, copyright law needs to be reformed, and the whole internet could crash at any moment. There are hackers and Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. It's just all so scary and out of our control: "I'm not saying that technology is the devil, but I remind readers that the first Apple computer made by Wozniak and Jobs in the latter's parents' basement cost $666. Just saying." [pp. 187-8] Only libraries can save us, protect our privacy and prevent piracy and let's not change anything unless the replacement is perfect.

Take a slow deep breath, Chicken Little; the world keeps changing and we manage to adapt and muddle through somehow. We survived the changes from cuneiform to quill pens to the printing press. The internet is part of the progression but the quest for knowledge continues, indeed, thrives.

By the way, this title is available as a traditional print book or in the Kindle format for readers who prefer the electronic version.

Update: My local library just started offering free tech support—repairing/upgrading computers, smartphones and other electronic devices including setups and tune-ups, data recovery, hardware installation or repair, memory/OS/software installation, and virus and spyware removal. Patrons can also borrow a mobile hot spot. A spokesperson said they saw a need and decided to fill it. Obviously, they do not feel threatened by the electronic revolution but rather are a part of it. show less

Terrific title. Terrible format.

By the title alone, I thought this book would serve as a wake-up call for librarians, educators, and leaders of our country to save our libraries. But I had a hard time staying awake while reading the first 122 pages.

In 2001, the author wrote a piece titled, "10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute For a Library." And he spends the first 122 pages of this book "ferreting out" whether what he said in 2001 is still true. Who cares what he said about libraries in the past? Readers want to know what he says about the future of libraries.

The very last chapter of this book, Chapter 14, beginning on page 187, is titled, "Are Libraries Obsolete After All? Two Scenarios." In this chapter, the author looks show more into the future, and shows us two worlds: one where libraries are obsolete, and librarians are as extinct as dinosaurs; and another where libraries are still around, and librarians find ways to use the information highway as a tool to provide knowledge for their students and customers.

The very last chapter of this book, Chapter 14, should have been the first chapter of the book. And I recommend readers begin reading this book on page 187, "Are Libraries Obsolete After All? Two Scenarios." Only then can the rest of the book make sense. If one chooses to begin reading on page 1, I fear the reader will find the first 122 pages to be "too much information." But if one chooses to begin reading on page 187, the reader will find the first 122 pages to be "well-found knowledge." show less

This book would have deserved three or even four stars for the subject matter, but several leaked out though editor-sized holes. The author is prolix, wordy, and repetitive. At times, several consecutive sentences say the same basic thing. Sometimes, the writer will use the very next line to communicate very similar information to the previous line. There are several errors of fact that a quick Google search could have fixed, and a sprinkling of those pesky typos that elude the guns of Fort Spellcheck (ie, "exit" for "exist"). If an editor looks at this and shaves off 40-50 pages, then this book becomes a lieutenant general, with a chance at further promotion.

One of the main criticisms Herring makes is that the internet has exacerbated show more pre-existent problems such as plagiarism, pornography, and plain old wasted time. This is a fair point, but I am still confused as to how this is a something that the continued existence of libraries will solve, especially since the author repeatedly denies that he thinks libraries should replace the internet. These are chapters better suited for the book "problems the internet must face".

His most compelling argument for the continued value of libraries is that a well-run library represents (and a good librarian enables) a meaningful selection, a curated portion of the sum knowledge of the world. Libraries are places where signal is isolated from noise by educated, competent people. If this is what we want, then we should want libraries to continue. show less

I had great hopes for this book, but in the end it was an excruciating read. Frankly, the first half of the book can be skipped. It purports to provide an update to an earlier well-received list of "10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library" (which is not directly provided). The style is often rambling, and offers no clearly defined argument, instead being a laundry list of observations, some more well-informed than others. On a personal note, I found many of his vocabulary choices more pompous than artful, and his frequent attempts at humor uniformly fell flat.

The second half is more interesting, and we see a glimpse of an original argument. He offers two scenarios for the future of the library: If technology achieves show more all it promises, the library is doomed to obsolescence. But since technology is flawed, and may end in apocalyptic failure, libraries may find a place in the rubble. There is, however, no *positive* role for libraries, at least as far as he describes. The fault is that he recognizes no function for libraries other than as information outlets, failing to consider that the library qua library might be an end in itself, rather than a means to the end of finding a quote for sophomore English paper which, frankly, probably can be done better on Google.

Oddly, he concludes the chapter with a list of things that librarians should do to "prevent library obsolescence" (p. 215), and this list is a provocative outline for the book he should have written. Perhaps someone else will. As it is, he provides no insights on these strategies, and thus the book as a whole ends on a disappointing note. show less

I found this a well-researched book that gives the reader much to think about in the question of how we value knowledge, privacy, education, and technology. I offer some specific pros and cons below:

Cons:

1. This book should not have been titled ‘Are Libraries Obsolete?’ I did not find very much of this book to be about libraries. The majority of the book focused on the dangers and drawbacks of the internet.

2. One chapter discussed the way the web circulates ghastly events, complete with examples. I’d managed to go my entire life without knowing these things, before reading six of them in the space of a minute. I would have preferred the author give the actual examples in a footnote, allowing readers to read the gruesome acts if show more they chose, especially as the author’s intent seems to be that it is easier for us to shield ourselves from gratuitous violence via print books.
3. Plus, there was this: “{Name Deleted by Me} did not want her father to know {Personal Business Deleted by Me}. Facebook let him know anyway.” If the author truly feels that her privacy should be respected, why on earth did he name the woman and her secret? Now, not only is it on the internet, it’s in a printed, permanent book!

These are minor things taken one at a time, but cumulatively they reduced the desired impact of the book.

Pros:
1. The author clearly cares deeply about the survival of libraries and has valid reasons why they should continue existing and serving.
2. The author backs up his statements with a good number of sources. It’s clear that he has facts to back up his data and his opinions. These sources are footnoted clearly in an organized fashion at the end of the book.
3. As a result of reading this book, I bought Nicholas Carr’s book ‘The Shallows’. I appreciate a book that makes me want to learn more! show less

Are libraries obsolete? I'm still not sure I know the answer but a decent read nonetheless. Many opportunities were missed in making stronger and more valid points, but an overall general idea is given to some dangers and cautions we should have moving into the future. A stronger editor could have been used too as there were more than a few typos and misspellings. Also maybe a more involved editor could have guided the narrative a little better in a more direct route.

I was disappointed to find this book didn't really focus on the rise or fall of libraries, but instead focused on the internet itself.
Mr. Herrings infograph: 10 Reasons Why the Internet is No Substitute for Libraries is mentioned, but not published in this book. Ironically, I had to look it up on the internet. That being said, I found "10 Reasons" to be more relevant to his argument for the book than the book itself. Reason #2 for example: "The internet is like a vast uncataloged library".
The librarians I work with find this to be a reason for job security. Many patrons get lost in the vast information on the internet. It is no way organized and you never know which sources you can trust.
If Herring had stuck to his "10 Reasons" I show more think I would have found this book much more interesting. show less