Re: Computers vs. Books

Tom Swinney (ts04@admin.swt.edu)
Sat, 4 May 1996 00:48:53 EDT

Brad Pearl wrote:
>>---Do you think the availability of books in electronic form (i.e. CD-ROM,
>>the Internet) will cause books as we know them today to become obsolete?
>>
>>---Why or why not?
>
> Simply, books are so much more portable. They require little if any
> additional input to power them. They are, at this point, much less
> expensive. <snip>

I agree that books will be around and that they are less expensive
than computers. However, it seems to me that books keep getting more
expensive, flashy and shallow these days. Library cards and fees keep
going up as do the taxes that build the libraries which charge the
fees with no end in sight. I don't see most people's salaries keeping
pace and wonder how we keep the golden goose alive. How do we maintain
equitable access for the long run?
The relationships are changing and so are the roles and capabilities
of the library and publishing.

--
Because It's a Jungle


Tom Swinney, Media Consultant
Media Services
Southwest Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666


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