About and on Behalf of Scriptum Est by Vesa Suominen

Abstract

Purpose

This book review aims to draw attention to the often disregarded philosophical foundations of the library. Both the library as an institution and the science that studies its workings, are critically analyzed and put into an epistemological and even ideological perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The original work by Vesa Suominen is explored in detail and its key findings subjected to criticism.

Findings

The book displays great originality and questions a number of long held beliefs regarding the library. Moving away from the more usual pragmatic and instrumentalist view of the library, the author proposes an approach that values the content of a library independant of its user. This approach, however, raises a number of questions.

Originality/value

Literature on the philosophical aspects of libraries and library science is scarce. Through this review we try to kindle a discussion that involves the basic mission statement of the modern library.

Citation

Laporte, S. (2017), "About and on Behalf of Scriptum Est by Vesa Suominen", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 73 No. 1, pp. 181-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-09-2016-0115