Computer literacy will never replace book literacy

Libraries, like many other public spaces, should offer grand designs to support grand ideas. Walk inside the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue, and you glide with a purpose.

In the main branch in Obie Joe's hometown in Baltimore, there's this beautiful, 60's-style reference desk to greet all visitors. Well, used to be. Recently, Ms. Obie Joe walked into the main branch in Baltimore, and saw the desk now dwarfed by approximately 100 computers (not even Macs!), with dozens slaving over clicks-upon-clicks.

No surprise when your library director, one Ms. Carla Hayden, freely admits that:

BC: Isn’t it interesting that you’re talking about computers, but the library is full of books.
CH: What’s interesting is that when we talked about libraries in the past, books were the main vehicles for getting information and also for entertainment, but definitely for information, and now it’s beyond books in terms of getting information. Most of the entertainment types of literature are still in book format, like Harry Potter.

Hayden then goes on to describe how her library system now emphasizes the ease of the digital: free DVDs, filling out government forms online, using the computer as a replacement to a doctor, and every way except this point: that a library fosters ideas via guidance to a literacy not considered by the patron.

Small wonder this library director picked "Solutions and Delights" as the logo. Of course.

Deep, deep, sad, sigh. Since when is a library, ideas, books, literacy about delights?!

(Photo credit. Look! Desks with no computers!)