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Ask the Expert • Pop
Quiz |
Author Nicholson Baker argues in his book,
Double Fold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper, that librarians “have
lied to us shamelessly about the extent of paper’s fragility,
and they continue to lie about it.”
Is this correct?
Somewhere between Baker’s hyperbole and gross generalization
and the nation’s library community’s collective defensive
statements of outrage, lies a fundamental set of issues that should
be of concern to all educated citizens. Custodians of our cultural
heritage, in the name of preservation (and mostly in good faith),
have made decisions that have, in fact, resulted in damage or loss
of the original “artifact.”
Baker, following in the footsteps of his muckraker great-grandfather,
Ray Stannard Baker, has challenged librarians to rethink their attitude
toward and treatment of materials printed on highly acidic paper.
Having rescued early American newspapers from a deaccessioning project
at the British Library, he has firsthand experience with a body of
literature printed on paper that has not fared very well over time.
His arguments are valid: While the edges of the paper are certainly
brittle and disintergrating, most of the printed page is still in
good shape and very readable; microfilm is a poor substitute both
in reproduction quality and the aesthetics of reading print; many
preservation programs have, in fact, resulted in the discard of the
original after the microfilming has taken place; with proper conditions
and treatment, paper can last for a very long time.
Ideal environmental conditions of both temperature (cold) and light
(none) ensure the long-term life of valuable early materials. As Baker
noted at the dedication of Duke’s new Library Service Center,
a state-of-the-art facility for the storage of our paper collections:
“Storage! That’s what this building is about. Keep it cool,
keep it dry, but above all—keep it.”
—David S. Ferriero is vice provost for library affairs and
university librarian |
We asked several students still on campus in late May: Why are
you in Durham this summer?
School’s out and college students should be away vacationing,
relaxing, and generally escaping campus life for a few months, right?
For some maybe, but for most Duke students, summer is a time to seek
out internships, catch up on academic credits, or just make some money
for the fall semester. While many may be pursuing these goals in New
York, Washington, D.C., Boston, or their hometowns, a small number
of students stick around Duke.
For Laura Harrington ’03 and Henry Ho ’02, it’s a chance
to focus more time on individual research, without the hectic schedules.
“I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity this summer to
concentrate on my lab research, without having to worry about classes.
It is an opportunity to use the knowledge I have gained during the
year and apply it practically to a job in my intended career field,”
says Harrington.
After enrolling in an independent-study program in the spring semester,
Ho says staying at Duke was an easy decision. “There is no reason
to look for lab work elsewhere, given the quality of research conducted
at Duke. So, I requested a paid position for the summer, which allows
me to make some money and engage in an exciting line of work.”
John Tran ’02 likes the freedom to pursue research, but also
finds staying at Duke less of a burden. “Sometimes it’s
just easier to stay in Durham for the summer. There’s less moving,
a familiar environment, and, hopefully, some friends around. Plus,
Central Campus apartments are pretty nice for the price.”
Of course, summer isn’t all about working and studying. Anda
Cornea ’03 says she just wants the time to experience Duke a
little more. “Since I will be taking a break from my studies
here at Duke all of next year to study in England, I wanted to spend
some more time with my friends. Besides, not going home for the summer
is an excellent way to escape parental pressures.”
The summer population isn’t limited to undergraduates. Staci
Hemmer, a first-year graduate student in physics, was found peacefully
studying in the Bryan Center’s Alpine Atrium, where there was
plenty of available seating, unlike during the regular school year.
For others, summer at Duke is more of a necessity than an option.
Luke Palmisano ’02 is enrolled in a biochemistry class because
he is “way behind in required classes.” With many students
pursuing double majors or studying abroad, this is a common occurrence.
But Palmisano ran into another problem: “I took too many electives.”
—compiled by Shawn Nicholls ’02. |
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