"Away from the Icebergs" makes interesting reading. I agree that "libraries are poorly equipped and insufficiently staffed" to fulfil teaching roles well; if people can't use our services we need to fix our services rather than offer training in how to use them: but if the physical collection of print materials is no longer a priority, because users want everything available digitally, I'd be concerned about several things. First, the way people use print materials is very different to how they use them online; the serendipity of finding by browsing is lost; second, how do users find out about what's available, and what is quality? As Wendy Schultz points out in ""To a Temporary Space in Time" tags offer "diverse connections, not focussed expertise". Online providers may charge for what used to be free; they may link to sponsored results which slant the accuracy of searches or bibliographies. The quality of art prints is lost in the digital world; the look of a beautiful reference book is lost too. Maybe improvements in technology will improve those complaints; but even the OH&S implications of using pcs and laptops rather than reading a book need to be considered. Every physio will tell you of the epidemic of neck and head related problems because of prolonged computer use; apparently laptops are much worse than standard pcs so today's students will be in for some trouble.
I really liked Wendy Schultz's concept of Library 4.0: "The library as aesthetic experience will have space for all the library’s incarnations: storage (archives, treasures); data retrieval (networks—reference rooms); and commentary and annotation (salon). Sounds good to me.
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