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Subject: A letter to the N&O editor
From: Eric Lease Morgan, eric_morgn@ncsu.edu
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 20:24:14 GMT
In article <1992Dec29.202414.25220@ncsu.edu> Eric Lease Morgan,
eric_morgn@ncsu.edu writes:
>
>Computers, information, librarians, and you

Below is a shorter letter to the editor because they don't allow 
editorials over 250 words in length.

==================

Computers, information, librarians, and you

"Computer wizards supplanting book lovers at library desk" was an
interesting article. It was the sort of story people like to read in
newspapers about libraries. Unfortunately it did not address some of the
unpleasant issues facing libraries because of computers and the
publishing industry. Not addressed, these issues will result in monetary
and electronic impediments to information for the general public,
scholars, and students.

Information is not free. It never has been, nor will it ever be. Access
to information costs money too. Libraries have traditionally absorbed
these costs. Unfortunately, these costs have risen dramatically. The
subscription rates of scholarly journals have been rising at more than
10% every year for at least the past six years. It is not uncommon for
these journals to cost hundreds of dollars. Furthermore, publishers have
two rates for their publications, one for libraries, another for
individuals. More and more, electronic information is not owned by the
library; it is leased. When a library drops a electronic subscription,
the library must give back the information. 

Consequently, support concepts like the The National Research and
Education Network (NREN). It represents federal legislation exploring the
development of a national information infrastructure. Also, support
libraries with human and capital resources. Support their need for
additional staff, computers, and information. Would you go to a surgeon
who didn't have a scalpel? How can you expect a librarian to do their job
without the necessary tools?

Eric Lease Morgan, Systems Librarian