It is clear that we have entered a digital age, but are we really ready to get rid of Johannes Gutenberg's technology already? The school's argument is that they are instead building a virtual library with access to 2 million books, instead of the previous 20,000.
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The school's principal, James Tracy, says they see the project as a pioneering initiative. He wants the new school library to be seen as a model for schools in the 21st century. However, there is not universal enthusiasm at the school for the management's decision. Several employees fear that students' focus and thus their ability to learn will be reduced when they are constantly interrupted by emails and other messages from a computer while trying to acquire knowledge.
Keith Michael Fiels, from the American Library Association, expresses concern about the durability of e-readers and access to free material. He also fears that commercial interests will make it difficult for students to gain the same access to books online as they do through a library.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that where the information desk used to be, they have now built a coffee bar that includes a cappuccino machine for the modest sum of approximately USD 12,000 (approx. NOK 75,000).
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