April 13, 2004

Read anything good lately?

Today I went to the Research Library to look at the new books for the week. I do this weekly as a habit to make sure that I continually remain current scientifically. I was horrified to read that the library will suspend the purchase of books to help save G&A money.

While I applaud the effort to return 2 percent of the G&A to science, cutting the Research Library in this manner is particularly counterproductive. We will lose far more than we save. The Lab should be doing more to encourage its staff to continue to educate themselves professionally. I have found the library's new books to be an important mechanism for professional improvement.

I was very proud to hear my visitor last summer laud the quality of our library: "this is one of the best I've ever seen. It's a wonderful place to do research." I don't want to see this change. The step to suspend the purchase of books fits the mold of being "penny wise and pound foolish."

--Bill Rider