- 1. In 'Double Fold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper', Nicholson Baker presents a compelling and thought-provoking critique of the growing trend among libraries and archives to destroy original printed works in favor of digitization and microfilm preservation. Baker, an avid bibliophile and a passionate advocate for the physicality of literature, delves into the historical significance of paper and the cultural implications of its destruction. He eloquently argues that the tactile experience of reading a book, the unique characteristics of paper as a medium, and the intrinsic value of original documents are being sacrificed in the name of efficiency and technological advancement. Through meticulous research, personal anecdotes, and powerful rhetoric, Baker highlights the detrimental effects of this obsession with digitization, calling for a reevaluation of our relationship with printed materials and a renewed appreciation for the past. His narrative weaves together stories of libraries discarding centuries-old manuscripts, the tragic fate of rare books, and the fundamental importance of the material form of texts, ultimately urging readers to recognize the fragility of cultural heritage and the irreplaceable nature of the printed word.
What preservation method does Baker particularly criticize?
A) Microfilming
B) Acid-free paper storage
C) Climate-controlled vaults
D) Digital scanning
- 2. What test do libraries use to justify discarding original materials?
A) Binding strength test
B) Acid content test
C) Double fold test
D) Ink stability test
- 3. Which major library institution receives the most criticism in the book?
A) Harvard University Library
B) British Library
C) Library of Congress
D) New York Public Library
- 4. What does Baker argue is lost when originals are destroyed?
A) Library shelf space
B) Monetary value of first editions
C) Copyright protections
D) Historical evidence and physical artifacts
- 5. What organization did Baker found in response to his research?
A) Historical Documents Foundation
B) Digital Preservation Society
C) Library Reform Coalition
D) American Newspaper Repository
- 6. What aspect of microfilm does Baker find inadequate?
A) Limited lifespan of the film
B) High cost of production
C) Difficulty in storage
D) Poor reproduction quality and missing details
- 7. What does 'double fold' refer to in library preservation?
A) A method of storing folded newspapers
B) A test folding paper to measure brittleness
C) A digital scanning process
D) A bookbinding technique
- 8. What color information is lost in microfilm reproduction?
A) Only red tones
B) All color information
C) Only black ink variations
D) Only blue and green
- 9. What is Baker's professional background?
A) Novelist and essayist
B) Architect
C) Historian
D) Librarian
- 10. What do libraries claim as the main reason for microfilming?
A) Cost reduction
B) Copyright protection
C) Improved accessibility
D) Space saving and preservation
- 11. What does Baker argue about the longevity of original materials?
A) They contain toxic chemicals
B) They deteriorate immediately
C) They are fire hazards
D) They last longer than claimed
- 12. What year was 'Double Fold' published?
A) 1995
B) 2010
C) 2001
D) 2005
- 13. What type of material was often destroyed after microfilming?
A) Government documents
B) Medieval manuscripts
C) Personal letters
D) Newspapers
- 14. What chemical problem affects microfilm?
A) Vinegar syndrome
B) Fungal growth
C) Acid migration
D) Oxidation
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