A university without books? Today we’re talking about the recent announcement by Vermont State University that they’ll be building an “all-digital library” and getting rid of print books as a cost-cutting measure. The decision has drawn a strong backlash from students and faculty, but, as enrollments drop, funds are slashed, and courses move online, it makes a gloomy kind of sense. Uncomfortable questions are being raised about the future of higher education in the United States. For the children of the rich, academia will continue to deliver a particular aesthetic experience—leafy quads, serendipitous browsing, and screen-free studying in a book-lined space—while for the rest it may shrivel into a bare-bones jobs training program. Join us for the discussion on this all-digital #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #89 - Virtual Book Fairs
The Boston Antiquarian Book Fair is going online! Visit www.abaa.org/vbf this Thursday the 12th through Saturday the 14th to browse items from over 150 booksellers (including the Brattle), or to attend one of the six free virtual seminars. We’ll be replenishing our stock throughout the fair so be sure to check back often. Of course we miss seeing our colleagues and customers in person, but we’ll be together again at the Hynes Convention Center someday, and until then we’re happy to answer any questions, book fair or otherwise, at info@brattlebookshop.com.