Whither the Postmodern Library? Libraries, Technology, and Education in the Information Age Review

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Whither the Postmodern Library Libraries, Technology, and Education in the Information Age ReviewDon't be fooled by the rather archaic title of this book-Whither the Postmodern Library?-into thinking that it's only for or about libraries and librarians. Far from it. Libraries are the point of departure for Wisner since he's been a reference librarian for nearly fifteen years, but this book is about much more than the title suggests. Wisner gives a passionate, personal, and intelligent cry for a serious and critical examination of the role that technology plays in our libraries, education, and lives in general. While the writing is occasionally self indulgent and the excess sometimes creates a feeling of overstatement, the fundamental message of his book-"the solution to the `problem' of technology is, precisely, a liberal education"-is important and relevant to teachers, parents, students, librarians, and especially to readers of this review--those who enjoy books and use computers and the internet. Whither the Postmodern Library? is reminiscent of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, a book I read and reread in my twenties, because like Pirsig, Wisner blends stories-about his father's library and last days, the funeral, Wisner's experience as a student at the University of Kansas, his fiancé's death, and his childhood when he became an avid reader-with discussions about philosophy, literary criticism, politics, and media and their connection to good and bad technology and education. While Pirsig's book reads like a novel of ideas, Wisner's is more accurately a collection of six essays (Preface, four chapters, and Afterword) interspersed with narratives of the author's experiences. This thoughtful and moving book-one that any intelligent, ethical reader will find valuable, challenging and refreshing-is its own best evidence of what comes from a liberal education, a healthy cynicism of technology, and a genuine concern for human beings.Whither the Postmodern Library Libraries, Technology, and Education in the Information Age OverviewOnce upon a time, looking for a book in the library involved an ancient mechanism called the card catalog. Now, most card catalogs are gone forever and patrons gaze at computer screens. As electronic technology becomes more pervasive, or invasive, librarians and library users continue to be embroiled in the controversy over the function of a library and its staff. As "knowledge" loses ground to "information" and techware pre-empts book budgets, library collections are "purged" and reference librarians find their role diminished--except to put more paper in the printer (to serve the voracious wood-pulp appetite of the new paperless society).The essays in this book analyze the complex issues surrounding the postmodern library and its increasingly impersonal nature, as the librarian at its center is more and more frequently marginalized. The insights and observations, both practical and thoughtful are those of a practicing librarian. An annotated bibliography guides the reader to additional important articles and books that explore the future of the library and the role of technology.

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