[BC] libraries vs on-line research

[Gordon Carter]

One aspect of this that hasn't come up is the ability of doing serious
research on little-known subjects in real libraries.

For instance, as a train fan in my off time, I have been researching a
very obscure locomotive.  I found the real thing at the St. Louis
Transportation Museum, but it was built for the Reading RR. by Baldwin
Locomotive Works in Philadelphia in 1896.  If I search the internet, I
find a few references to it, but most of the information is duplicated
from one site.  In fact, there are very few photos on the web as well.

I have managed to find out where the archives from Baldwin are located.
The part I would need is in about 20 boxes labeled "misc".  This stuff
has never been cataloged, let alone digitized, and probably never will
be unless someone comes up with lots of money to do so.  Since it is in
a state archive, it may be kept forever, but you will have to go there
to find it.  I haven't done so yet, and may not, just because of the
time involved (it could take days of digging just to find out that there
isn't anything there usable).  It is very probable that this will never
be digitized and I am sure there are warehouses full of such information
around the world in the same predicament.

Don't get me wrong, the internet is a great place to do research, but
some research MUST be done in person and on location.

Gordon S. Carter, CPBE, CBNT
Chief Engineer
WFMT and The Radio Network
5400 North St. Louis Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773 279-2071