Double Fold Libraries and the Assault on Paper
Double Fold Libraries and the Assault on Paper by Nicholson Baker, published by National Geographic Books on April 9, 2002, is a reprint edition comprising 400 pages. This book examines the paradox of libraries, which are intended to preserve the printed word, yet have systematically destroyed countless historic newspapers in favor of microfilm copies. Baker employs meticulous research to uncover a hidden history involving microfilm lobbyists and the destruction of invaluable archives, challenging the practices that have compromised the integrity of our cultural heritage.
Readers will find a detailed exploration of the implications of these preservation choices, as Baker passionately advocates for the importance of maintaining original documents. The narrative delves into the political and cultural policies surrounding library administration and management, highlighting the detrimental effects of replacing physical archives with inferior microfilm. Through his investigative approach, Baker presents a compelling case for preservation, making this work significant for those interested in library science, public policy, and the broader discourse on cultural preservation.
Official synopsis Publisher
The ostensible purpose of a library is to preserve the printed word. But for fifty years our country’s libraries–including the Library of Congress–have been doing just the opposite, destroying hundreds of thousands of historic newspapers and replacing them with microfilm copies that are difficult to read, lack all the color and quality of the original paper and illustrations, and deteriorate with age.
With meticulous detective work and Baker’s well-known explanatory power, Double Fold reveals a secret history of microfilm lobbyists, former CIA agents, and warehouses where priceless archives are destroyed with a machine called a guillotine. Baker argues passionately for preservation, even cashing in his own retirement account to save one important archive–all twenty tons of it. Written the brilliant narrative style that Nicholson Baker fans have come to expect, Double Fold is a persuasive and often devastating book that may turn out to be The Jungle of the American library system.
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