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Sep. 1--As college libraries rush to offer wireless Internet access and online journals and databases, some educators are worried about too much reliance on technology.
"Some libraries are going overboard, getting rid of books," said Neal Coulter, a retired University of Tennessee at Chattanooga librarian. "Depending on electronics (replacing books with online access), in the long run is dangerous."
Libraries are not turning away from books, but they are evolving to meet the changing needs of students and faculty, said Dr. Pamela Snelson, president of the Association for College and Research Libraries.
"The way you get information today is different from the way you did 10 years ago," Dr. Snelson said. "Libraries cater to the needs of students and faculty and should keep up, or hopefully be one step ahead, as those needs change."
Area college libraries are phasing out some books and embracing the World Wide Web, creating an "information commons" with computers, Internet access, comfy chairs and even coffee shops. "Who's not walking around with a bottle of water these days," Dr. Snelson said. "So libraries are going along with that."
But libraries are not closing the book on print so they can log on to the information highway, some librarians said.
"Our collection has not gone down, but what we are seeing is a gradual shift from the requests for books to requests for online databases," said Vicki Sells, interim associate provost for information technology services and librarian for the University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn.
The Internet enhances a library's offerings, according to Theresa Liedtka, dean of UTC's Lupton Library.
"The Internet is good for locating out-of-print books," Ms. Liedtka said. "A lot of books that are hard to find are scanned into the Web."
Ms. Liedtka said the Lupton Library's book inventory has been stable for the past several years. One place where the Internet has replaced hard copies is in journals and periodicals, she said.
"In the last couple of years a lot of journals have created online access," she said. "And some departments have embraced it quicker than others. Engineering, science and nursing are asking for more online so they can access data 24/7 at their desktops."
Studies show that what patrons value is convenience, Ms. Liedtka said.
"People are multitasking, and sometimes they are doing their homework at 3 a.m. We are not open at 3 a.m. We want to help them get the resources they need when they need them," she said.
Keith Leckenby, a UTC adjunct English professor, said students and faculty expect access to the Internet.
"Kids today, it would be weird to them to do without it," he said. "And research is so much easier on the computer. You can do it from home in your pajamas, if you want."
UTC freshman Ashley Murman, 19, said books still have a place in student life.
"We still read books," she said. "But books are time consuming; you have to go from page to page. Or you might check out a book, and it won't have what you need, and you spent that time looking."
Dr. Snelson said that, with access to information decentralized, libraries can provide services that a computer cannot, such as ways to differentiate between good and bad information.
The Internet makes information easier to find but not easier to evaluate, she said. Librarians can direct students to a database having journals related to the information they are seeking, she said.
Mr. Coulter said a downside of Internet research is that it can limit learning.
"With books you browse through and learn things that you weren't looking for," he said. "There are multiple ways of doing things, and the Internet is only one way."
Ms. Liedtka said the Lupton Library has "smart classrooms" where students can gather in groups and use the wireless access to the Internet, and laptops are available for use on the premises.
Next month an instant message service will be released, and patrons will be able to communicate with librarians in real time, she said.
Meanwhile, there is a corner on the first floor where patrons are allowed to eat, Ms. Liedtka said.
Like any business, libraries must be customer-oriented, Dr. Snelson said.
"Libraries have group study areas and quiet floors for those who like it quiet," she said. "Our mission is to make sure they get the information they need to get their work done."
E-mail Beverly A. Carroll at bcarroll@timesfreepress.com
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Copyright (c) 2006, Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn.
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