Summary of “A Place to See and Be Seen”
In his article “A Place to See and Be Seen (and Learn a Little, Too),” Scott Carlson uses the renovation of the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library at Ohio State University to raise interesting questions about the necessity for libraries in an increasingly interconnected world. First, he describes the loveliness of the open glass and chrome architecture, all based around a central tower, and denotes the importance of the physical library itself as a connecting point for many students. The renovation is an ambitious and extensive one, placing a great deal of faith in the continued need for libraries and physical repositories for information.
Before this renovation, it was a jumbled series of mismatched buildings; this change puts all of these books in one central, modernized location, with thrilling and visceral architecture made to draw thrills and attract people to the library, making it an attraction. For example, the ‘foundation stones’ are a series of plates and panels that pay homage to the various writing styles that have been created throughout history. In addition to that, there are millions of books on every subject imaginable are now made available easily in one location, thoroughly modernized and renovated for efficient use. Even the stack tower has a special importance, due to its status as a symbol for the necessity of a library. It is a center, a mecca for scholarship and the library’s close ties to a college education.
The article argues that, in lieu of just browsing the Internet for what you need, it is necessary to have a physical place for study as well – an “intellectual crossroads.” This is especially important in a college setting, as scholarship is paramount. When students go to this library, they can use it as a physical means for accessing the information. This grants them a greater, closer access to the material, as well as a location that is particularly suited for their specific purpose (studying). While material like this is often available on the Internet or through electronic resources, it is often still necessary to separate work from home – this is why locations like this library are needed. It permits a dedicated space for focusing on homework, study and research; there are fewer distractions. This alone necessitates the presence of a library on a college campus.
In conclusion, Carlson’s ultimate aim with this article was to provide a concrete demonstration of the continuing importance of libraries in colleges. They are an integral component of the higher education experience, and must be preserved in the face of rampant advances in technology and integration of information. This library renovation in Ohio is evidence of the need to formulate new centers of learning that are visually striking and impeccably organized, in order to attract students and make libraries more viable as a concept.
Works Cited
Carlson, Scott. "Do Libraries Still Matter? Ohio State U. Has a Clear Answer.”
The Chronicle of Higher Education. N.p., 30 May 2010. Web. 27 June 2011.
