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ABC News Shuttering In-House Library in Favor of 'Digital Research Facility'

June 8, 2009 - 7:19pm — Bibliofuture

This afternoon, in an email to his staff, David Westin, the president of ABC News, announced that ABC News will be converting its existing research library on the second floor of its 47th street building into a smaller, more cyber-focused "Digital Research Facility."

"Our extensive, hard copy library filled with periodicals and other materials is no longer necessary in the digital age," wrote Mr. Westin. "The time has come to re-shape that library to reflect today’s world."

Full story here.

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June 9, 2009 - 9:38am — Anonymous

"And favorite Wikipedia on all the computers," Mr. Westin added.

"By using that one source, I've just saved ABC News a million dollars a year. Hurray, me."

June 9, 2009 - 10:12am — DeathByAnts

Irresponsible reporting

Good god, whoever posted these needs to take more than two seconds to review stories. If you bother to read further into the article and to read the comments the REAL story comes out, which has nothing to do with what was posted above.

June 9, 2009 - 10:30am — Bibliofuture

Comments

I posted the story. What do you think the problem is?

The language posted above is directly from the article and there is a link to the full article.

June 9, 2009 - 11:59am — DeathByAnts

The above is given without

The above is given without real context. This except is from further into the article:

Back in October of 2008, Mr. Westin sent out a memo to staff, announcing a series of cost-saving maneuvers, including the cancellation of all print subscriptions for magazines and newspapers. Today's announcement would seem to further move the news organization beyond the printed word.

Based on this quote the change in the library is not really due to a change in philosophy but budget cuts. By posting only the first paragraph one is led to believe that the reason for the change is that they no longer need print materials or something like that. The comments from users and employees below the article further support this.

June 9, 2009 - 1:24pm — Bibliofuture

Read the article

I still don't think the original post was deceptive. Do you get more by reading the whole article? Sure. Lesson; read the article.

June 9, 2009 - 12:29pm — Anonymous

I don't see how my comment changes

"You will continue to receive the same exceptional service as you have in the past," he added. "But we’re developing, with an outside (Wikipedia) research consultant , a state of the art (Wikipedia) research system tailored to our particular needs. When this new (Wikipedia) system is completed, you will be able to get the information you need and conduct your own (Wikipedia) searches from your desktop."

I guess Bibliofuture should have spun the story with this good news?

"Once we’re through the transition, we will be donating our current hard copy periodicals to a library in need," he added. "These materials have served us well, and we hope they will do the same for a deserving community."

The story still says some library staff will lose their jobs, which is the only part I really care about.

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