Unseen Passage: Bookless Library

The world’s first book-less library has been set up in the state of Texas in the United States. Unlike the rows upon rows of books that are found in a conventional library anywhere in the world, at the book-less library, there are high– tech gadgets that have replaced the books as found in other libraries.

The borrowers of books from this high-tech book-less library have a different set of rules to follow when borrowing books. Instead of taking home books for reading, the members of the library, who are registered residents of the south Texas country of Buxar, can now access their choice of reading matter from e-readers. Also, instead of having to pay a fee for membership of the library and for borrowing books and other facilities, the members can borrow reading matter from the book less library for free.

The services of this library have found favour with its readers is clearly visible from the growing readership numbers at this library. Since its start in September, the country’s 1.7 million residents have been able to check out and take home the machines for reading purposes and accessing the catalogue. They are also able to use their own devices to check out and access the catalogue of the library. This Biblio-Tech of 1.5 million books, currently has 600 e-readers, 200 pre-loaded enhanced e-readers for children and 48 computer stations for use by its readers. In addition, there are 10 laptops, and 40 tablets available in the premises, for use by the readers.

Not satisfied with simply providing e-reading services, the Biblio-Tech has created a list of higher ambitions for itself. The most prominent of these include their ambition to give up the country’s necessary tools ‘to thrive as citizens of the 21st century’. For them, a well-connected citizen of this country is one who strives for enhancing his education and literacy and promoting ‘reading as a recreation’.

As part of reader services at the Biblio-Tech, its Special Project Coordinator, Laura Cole comments that the library authorities wanted to create the best and the most cost effective way of providing library services. This was especially suitable for the Texas country’s residents as the population here is geographically distanced from existing services. In fact there has never been a book store or library in this area. ”Geography does not matter if your library is in the clouds,” adds Laura Cole, referring to the ‘cloud’ system where the books of the library are stored online.

Answering queries about readers’ concerns that library users may feel put off by technology, Cole is proud to concur that her staff are willing to dedicate their time to help readers and visitors who find it difficult to handle the system on their own. Hence, readers do not feel intimidated by the gadgetry and feel empowered to be able to access this novel system of procuring reading matter.

Even replacement costs for damages and breakdowns have been factored into the working system of the library. Thus, readers are not turned away from the library doors simply because the system is not functioning on any particular day. To prevent thefts from depleting their stocks, the devices are geared in such a way that users cannot access its internet once they leave the premises of the library.

Q. On the basis of the reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the best option.

  1. The borrowers in a high-tech library have to follow
    1. a different set of rules.
    2. the same set of rules.
    3. absolutely no rules.
    4. rules of their own making.
  2. The book-less library is located in
    1. the Texas country of Biblio –Tech
    2. the Texas country of Bexar
    3. the city of middle USA
    4. Washington D.C. ,USA
  3. The amount of reading material available at the Biblio-Tech library is
    1. 600 books.
    2. 1.5 million books.
    3. 1.7 million books.
    4. None of the above
  4. The book-less library is highly suitable for this country because
    1. the public library is not functioning well.
    2. the people here are avid readers.
    3. there is plenty of reading matter in this library.
    4. it is geographically distanced from existing library services.
  5. The cloud system refers to
    1. the sky with black clouds.
    2. the bright sky with clouds.
    3. system where books are stored online.
    4. None of the above
  6. ‘To thrive’ in para 4 means
    1. to prosper.
    2. to live happily.
    3. to serve duties.
    4. All the above

Answer

  1. a different set of rules
  2. the Texas country of Bexar
  3. 1.5 million books
  4. it is geographically distanced from existing library services.
  5. system where books are stored online
  6. to prosper.

Q. Answer the following questions:

  1. They are also able to use their own devices to check out and access the ____________ of the library.
  2. The most prominent of these include their ____________ to give up the country’s necessary tools to thrive as citizen of the 21st century.
  3. Hence, readers do not feel intimidated by the ____________ and feel empowered to be able to access this novel system of procuring reading matter.
  4. Find words/phrases in the passage that mean:
    1. full of power (para 6
    2. refused entry (para 7)
    3. to feel discouraged (para 6)

Answers

  1. catalogue
  2. ambition
  3. gadgetry
  4. Words are:
    1. empowered
    2. turned away
    3. feel intimidated

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