http://www.nclaonline.org/NCL/ncl/NCL_63_3-4_Fall-Winter2005.pdf


63  —  Fall/Winter 2005 North Carolina Libraries

I was recently reading an article in the Library Quarterly on transverality and the role of the library as fair witness.  
!e author contends that the more we move online “the greater more there will be the need for the kind of external, 

trusting party” called the fair witness. Libraries because of their “plurality and authority {are} well suited to this role.” 

!is has certainly been true of libraries up to the present. As we continue be under attack from those who would 

have us only provide narrowly focused access to materials, we constantly need to be reminded of why libraries were 

founded and the key role they play in the free transfer of ideas. We want to always not just provide a viewpoint, but 

a place where varied viewpoints can be examined. !ere will always be points of view expressed in public media, 

what is needed is a place where trusting relationships can grow. One cable network describes itself as “Fair and 

balanced.” Fair and balanced is the true “value” that libraries and librarianship can add to the growing polarized 

cacophony. !is is especially true as North Carolina transitions into a multi-lingual society.

!is is the second issue under my editorship and it is devoted in part to reporting the 2005 North Carolina Library 

Association Conference in Winston-Salem.  !is issue is numbered volume 63, numbers three and four and 

completes our annual offering for 2005. !e next issue will be volume 64 and will be published in early 2006. !e 

Editorial Board has received a number of positive comments on the impact North Carolina Libraries makes to the 

profession. Please let the editor and the Editorial Board know of your issues and concerns about our work. We very 

much appreciate your kind comments and look forward to hearing from you.

From the pen of the Editor
Ralph Scott, Editor