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Digital school library leaves book stacks behind
By Tina Antolini/NPR
An elite boarding school in Ashburnham, Mass., just spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on renovating its library. But Cushing Academy wasn't just redoing its walls and carpets. The school is getting rid of the actual, physical books in favor of going digital. And the move — thought to be the first of its kind in the country — is worrying some librarians and book lovers. A year ago, Cushing Academy's library would have resembled any other, with its hushed atmosphere and tall stacks of books. But that's no longer the case. There's a new cafe where the circulation desk used to be. Where bookshelves once stood, students now sit in easy chairs, studying or watching one of the three new flat-screen TVs. It's all part of what have been two substantial recent changes at Cushing's library. The first is removing most of the stacks. And the second is transforming the place into a hub of activity, to give what's now a largely virtual library a physical home and gathering space. (more...)
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