From a practical standpoint within the Library, little-used materials duplicated on the Web can be weeded to ease crowded shelves. Many of the indexes already chased from their tables will finally be weeded this spring, along with reference sources and government publications also left idling in favor of Internet alternatives. The remaining reference and index collections will then be integrated and shelved in a more visible location. Some aspects of the Internet's expanding importance raise legitimate concern. Web-based subscriptions are a significant and ongoing expense.
Seamless access can create the impression that everything on the Internet is free.
Many valuable library materials that are not online are under-utilized or ignored. And plagiarism becomes easy and tempting, especially since citation guidelines for Web resources are often lacking. But electronic information delivery is as compelling as it is inevitable. The Library will continue its dual role as a place and as a portal into the future. For a case in point, both new carpeting and wireless connectivity share priority on the Library's wish list this year.