Trusting librarians too blindly? A review-article

Cope, R. L.

Australian Library Journal 2001 50 (1)1231
(ReLIS:jul:juljuh:y:2001:v:50:i:1:p:1231)

Abstract:

Double Fold is not likely to leave many readers indifferent. To judge from the large range of reactions (offensive and defensive) in the United States, just the opposite is true. Indignation, disbelief, occasionally self-righteous ripostes, and even muted fury are not hard to find. The Association of Research Libraries writes of 'purposeful misrepresentations', for example. Baker has, in effect, touched a most sensitive nerve in librarianship: its own self-perception. But the reactions of those outside the profession show that public perceptions of the profession have suffered a grave shock and a severe loss of confidence in librarians' trustworthiness as 'guardians of the book'. To review the book through the prism of these reactions is tempting, but the present article will only briefly attempt this, noting a few important pieces in passing. Perhaps the least useful reaction encountered is that of James Billington, the present Librarian of Congress (reported in The New York Times of 7 April 2001): 'I take offense at the implication that there was a wide conspiracy going on at the Library of Congress (LC) from people who have probably not run anything in their lives'. But Billington (who has not read the book) had admitted in the same interview that ' This is the first time I ever heard that such a thing [as described by Baker] happened.' 'I'll look into it, and we can get an answer, I guess'. Do those words inspire confidence?

Keywords: Bibliotecarios
Pages: 1231
Volume: 50
Year: 2001
Issue: 1

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