Libraries and Fahrenheit 451: does knowledge age or accumulate?

Docent, Academy Fellow Tapio S. Katko, TampereUniversity of Technology[1]

Over the last few years I have encountered at a number of universities and polytechnics the phenomenon where books older than 10 years are being removed from their libraries by selling them at a nominal price of one or two euros, by destroying them, or by shipping some of them to the repository library in Kuopio. This raises the question of the basic function of libraries with respect to acquisition, dissemination and storing of knowledge.

At least the following related arguments can be made:

1. Knowledge does not become outdated in 10 years.

It is true that data in certain special areas of information technology and data communications may age that soon, even sooner. Yet, it is an illusion to think that the same holds true for all fields of technology such as architecture or structural engineering. In many fields of technology, especially when conducting scientific research, one must dig into the basics of phenomena. Likewise, handbooks that contain more practical knowledge do not become outdated in 10 years, at least not completely. In my own field the key handbooks have been updated about every 20 years. Yet, older ones still have their uses. Moreover, the most recent ones do not necessarily delve into basic phenomena but rather into their new applications.

1. Old knowledge matters.

The claim that knowledge ages is as absurd as saying that an adult has had no childhood. We are talking about a cumulative process where all new knowledge builds on the old. It is true, of course, that old doctrines sometimes prove false. The ageing and consequent invalidation of information is especially dangerous in the case of computer programs. In Tampere it has been suggested many times that a crypt be built in the cellar of a church that is over 100 years old. This despite the fact that years ago simple weight sounding indicated that the church rests on clay and remains standing only by a miracle. Later on the building of a crypt has been suggested on the basis of new computer-based design software that deems it possible. Yet, the clay layers of weak bearing capacity are still there.

On the other hand, as knowledge accumulates, some of it also gets eliminated which may lead to the loss of essential information. There are many examples from the history of technology where useful information and insights have gone missing for long periods only to emerge later under new conditions. For instance, it is claimed that the cartwheel disappeared from Egypt and the Islamic nations for several centuries until it was reintroduced by the Europeans.

1. Bindingness of made decisions and selections.

Many of the selections and decisions by communities concerning their infrastructure will determine the possible future development paths through so-called path dependency. Thus, pasts, presents and futures are unavoidably bound together. If we seriously wish to study possible, probable and desirable futures, we must know where we now are and where we are coming from. The elimination of old knowledge also prevents study of the future.

1. Understanding historical development and its significance.

One basic requirement at universities should be that researchers know, at least in outline, the developments of their scientific field over a longer period. Douglas C. North, a Nobel laureate in economics, found that history does matter in connection with assessing the possibility of transition economies developing in the direction of democratic market economies. Knowledge about societal development is indispensable in providing at least some understanding of what can be attained and what can be expected within a certain time period. The same applies to development cooperation. Instead of cherishing excessive expectations we could reflect, for instance, on how long it took the West to build their own democratic societies.

Many phenomena claimed as novel are not, including the privatisation of public services promoted by international financial institutions and large private enterprises. Water supply and sewerage, waste management, railways, etc. were in their early stages, in the mid-1800s, mainly owned by private companies. For instance, in the case of water supply and sewerage towns and municipalities had to assume responsibility since private operators failed to convince them of the public benefits of their business approach to these services. These infrastructure services are of key importance to the overall development of societies as they affect economic, land use, health, environmental and social issues. The last decade has seen a move to privatise services internationally either by transferring them to private ownership or by hiring private operators. The arguments used closely resemble those of like-minded people 100-150 years earlier. Yet, this fact has been forgotten by most.

1. Fairness.

Researchers have acquired exchange copies for libraries over the years through contacts they have established. Often this has cost the library nothing. However, now libraries can remove these copies from their collections at will if so inclined.

1. The positivistic science approach is inadequate.

If the subject matter of the research is problem-oriented by nature, the research approach must be inter- and multidisciplinary. In ceremonial speeches inter- and multidisciplinarity have been emphasised, but in practice, unfortunately, the point scoring systems of universities, among other things, easily guide research into increasingly narrower sectors. It is of course true that such research is also needed, but it is not enough in itself. For instance, technical libraries should also offer literature of other scientific disciplines. Furthermore, the Academy of Futures Research provides further education that transcends universities and disciplines as does Torus, the Finnish network for the History of Science and Technology.

1. Books must be available for viewing.

We are extremely fortunate to have a repository library. Yet, the collections of libraries must be available for readers to view. It is extremely difficult for researchers and other users to know merely on the basis of catalogue data whether it is worthwhile ordering a book or not. Moreover, the cost of ordering is unreasonable and delivery takes long.

Libraries have been entrusted with the task of ensuring the diversity of sources of information which is a boon in itself. Often the researcher has to check information from the original sources. It will be extremely laborious if all required material has to be ordered, for instance, from the repository library.

1. History's significance for mankind.

A measure of the cultural level of mankind is how widely cultural heritage is cherished, understood and displayed. Surely no one is thinking of suggesting that the national repository library be placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List?

1. Ultimate goal of the library institution.

Should the library institution not play a key role in the intellectual growth of mankind as well as advance cultural development? Naturally, electronic libraries can be of help here, but even they have not reduced the demand for and reading of books – rather the opposite is true. Electronic books, other publications and the Internet will not replace traditional books no matter how good they are. Moreover, part of the information on the Internet gets updated meaning that a lot of worthwhile knowledge is lost unless it is printed on paper and filed in the researcher's own library – in a small office or at home.

The discarding of books is justified by space constraints and cost savings. Yet, should we not be providing more space and bigger acquisition budgets for libraries as information stratifies in our knowledge society. The process of discarding old sources or transferring them to the repository library should be well thought out if and when it is launched. The true value of a book or other source is determined by something other than its year of printing. Or have we reached the situation described in the science-fiction novel ”Fahrenheit 451”[i] where the task of fire departments is to start fires – and of libraries to destroy literary sources?

Sources:

Bradbury R. 1974 (Finnish translation) Fahrenheit 451. Kirjayhtymä. 194 p. (still found at least in the libraries of the City of Tampere).

[1] TUT, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O.B. 541, 33101 Tampere, Finland. E-mail: tapio.katko@tut.fi

Originally published in Finnish by Tiedepolitiikka, No. 1, 2003 pp. 56-58.

[i] Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which book paper ignites and burns