Tucson Writers Workshop
(The Back Page)

Almost all of the 90,000 real books have been moved elsewhere, and digital access to electronic texts has replaced the bookshelfs in the library at The University of Texas at Austin. The books are not gone, just redistributed into other locations within the University's library system.

A recently implemented plan has left certain reference books in place. But the remake has increased available space by approximately 6,000 feet, where it is hoped that students who are more comfortable accessing the internet will come back to the library, and use the couches and computers that are now occupying the space where the bookshelves used to be.

By setting up an electronic information area that operates around the clock, students are allowed to collaborate with each other, and increase their computer literacy with training and special workshops.

The librarians at The University of Texas are learning to adapt to a new age, where instead of directing students to the card catalogue, they assist the students to learn how to use digital resources.