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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2011 > July > 28 > Entry
Feeding the giant book robot….
When one imagines a state of the art library one might envision a library that is digital-with no actual books within it, only digital files on computers.
I am delighted to know that the University of Chicago has created a futuristic library for actual physical books: Here’s the scoop from the Chronicle for Higher Education:
“At the University of Chicago’s new library, 70 students have summer jobs filling a chilly subterranean bunker 50 feet beneath the main reading room. Their mission: Load a million volumes into a machine-dominated warehouse that most library patrons will never see.
“You feel like you’re feeding this giant robot,” says Victoria Lee, an anthropology major who earns $11.15 an hour stuffing bound journals into steel bins. Ms. Lee’s insatiable robot is a computer system that directs mechanical cranes to store those bins in giant stacks and retrieve them when patrons request their contents.
Another “bookless library” for the digital age? No. For all its gee-whiz gadgetry, the building is actually an $81-million bet that researchers still need ready access to a much older technology: print.”
Pretty cool, eh? To read the entire article click HERE:
Vick Mickunas
p.s. And you can follow me now on Twitter: @BookNookVick
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: clearing the cobwebs
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By TR
July 28, 2011 3:08 PM | Link to this
Will computers and computer programs completely replace books in the libraries? I personally don’t think so. For one reason, books don’t need costly batteries or costly electricity to be operated. I remember when personal computers first appeared in 1980s schools. Some people predicted that: by 2000, all kids will carry small computers and floppy discs, and not use books in school. Text books still remain in school, in July of 2011.
By vick
July 28, 2011 1:55 PM | Link to this
First step would be getting a basement….
By Page Turner
July 28, 2011 1:25 PM | Link to this
You need one of those in your basement, Vick!