The Chronicle: Colloquy: Responses

I was disappointed that this article presented such a one-sided view of the contemporary use of college and university libraries. At the University of Connecticut we have as many students using the library as at any time in the past. Our circulation is down slightly, as are reference questions asked, but students still consider the library the center of campus and our library was commended this year for extending its hours. Our reading rooms are not empty! On the contrary, we now offer a range of information-related services that were impossible until recently developed technologies came on the scene.

It is a challenge in today's information rich world of knowledge to provide a balanced library that addresses a diverse set of user needs. How disappointing it is to reduce an entire generation of college students to the author's level of perception that they will only come to the library if we offer them Starbucks coffee.

: -- Brinley Franklin, Director of Library Services (posted 11/15, 10:30 a.m., U.S. Eastern time)

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