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COPYRIGHT 2007 The Buffalo News
Byline: Stephen T. Watson
Feb. 20--Gripping classics such as "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and John Hersey's "Hiroshima."
"Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt" and other sweeping histories.
Even a lightweight biography of actress Jennifer Love Hewitt.
These and thousands of other books in the Kenmore Public Library are on a computer-generated report that serves as the opposite of a wanted list.
Every book included on this report hasn't been checked out in at least the past two years.
For some books, the list is a death sentence. They will be shipped to the Central Library downtown for storage or sold at book sales.
"They reflect the tastes of a different generation," said Kate Weeks, director of the Town of Tonawanda public libraries.
It's part of the evolution of the modern library, an effort driven by technology and the Internet.
Public libraries such as the Buffalo & Erie County system and academic libraries at the University at Buffalo and elsewhere are building smaller, less comprehensive book collections.
Instead, they are providing updated electronic versions of books, databases and journals.
Most libraries offer extensive online access to their holdings and are converting pieces of those collections into searchable electronic text.
"We aren't just...
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