Frank On Libraries

Frank notes that many academic libraries are replacing real books with digital versions. At the same time there is a movement toward book banning in some communities. What will a library look like in the future? Answer: a big building with empty shelves.

Published on March 31, 2023

Discussion

By Leela Moore on Apr 02, 2023

Thank you, Frank. I totally agree. Books are the holders of ideas, banning books is banning thinking. Argue your ideas if they are valid. Banning is just admitting you have no argument to defend.

By Howie Fenton on Apr 11, 2023

I could not agree more with my mentor Frank Romano. As a sci-fi fan I read and watch a lot of sci-fi stories. If you want to see a possible dystopian future resulting from banning books watch Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 454. In this story books are illegal, and the role of "firemen" is to burn any books. The story follows Guy Montag, a fireman who starts questioning the oppressive regime he serves and the value of knowledge. Montag's dissatisfaction grows after meeting, a free-spirited teenager who opens his eyes to the importance of critical thinking and he starts secretly collecting books. In his journey, he meets a group of rebels, who are dedicated to preserving the knowledge found in books. Through Fahrenheit 454, Ray Bradbury explores the importance of free thought, the consequences of censorship, and the transformative power of knowledge. It's worth reading or watching!

By James Madden on Apr 13, 2023

What they said! One catch: the title of Ray Bradbury's book, and the subsequent feature film, and a few songs, and a video game, is Fahrenheit 451. That is the temperature at which books ignite.