Save the Stacks

An eloquent testimonial by Thomas H. Benton (a pseudonym) on the intellectual rewards of browsing library stacks. He argues that libraries should not become primarily digital entities.

Like Benton, I applaud the University of Chicago's decision to expand its Regenstein Library so that it will house more books in one building than any other U.S. library. However, I am critical of the U of C's library policies, which make it difficult for scholars from other local academic institutions, like UIC, to make use their facilities without a fair measure of bureaucratic hassle. But the U of C's insularity is another topic altogether, and since I'm not using a psedonym I'll refrain from airing my grievances.