New York Public Library Deems Print Encyclopedias 'Relevant' in Digital Age

As reference materials continue to move online, the New York Public Library will continue to keep print versions of the World Book Encyclopedia in all its 87 branch libraries, which are found in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island.

“We definitely think it’s relevant for certain groups of users,” said Denise Hibay, NYPL’s head of collection development.

“A group of students come into a branch after school. There are only so many computer terminals in a branch, so we want this to be available for them, as a backup,” Hibay said. “And some people still prefer the print volume.”