T. Mann, The importance of books, free, access, and libraries as places - and the dangerous inadequacy of the information science paradigm, J ACAD LIBR, 27(4), 2001, pp. 268-281
Although libraries must continue to provide electronic resources, the disti
nctive strength of research libraries lies mainly in their ability to provi
de free access to preservable book collections that facilitate the understa
nding of lengthy textual works and that cannot be tapped into electronicall
y from anywhere, at any time, by anyone.