I agree with Ryan about Desk Set (and what librarian doesn't love that movie!), but database access is an interesting topic. There's no way individuals could afford to subscribe to multiple databases on their own, but pooling resources through tax-supported libraries is an ideal solution. Granted, most libraries aren't going to subscribe to LexisNexis, but most subscribe to at least one database, if not more.

So the key is indeed having the access to the information. My home library is relatively small, but they offer residents free access to four databases. Illinois residents are lucky enough to have a State Library with some foresight and vision, and the folks there provide free access to several FirstSearch databases for every Illinois resident. So if your bot can hook into your local library and it has stored your library barcode number, Higgins would be able to complete his assigned tasks rather easily.  :-)

[The Shifted Librarian]

Last night I was discussing the role of social institutions with a friend, and I pointed out that the advantage of belonging to an institution (vs doing it on your own) was one of leverage. You have a broader knowledge base to pull from, you have have a greater network to call on with regards to knowledge that may be otherwise inaccessable, and you simply have more resources at your disposal than you would otherwise have available.

Now, what if a town needed to have access to a set or records, and instead of having them accessable only at town hall, allowed townspeople to get to them either through the local library or via the town's homepage (login required)? In the case of my old hometown, there are several reference companies located there, and It would be a great boon if they allowed the local schools and libraries to have access to their systems.

9:38:19 AM