Letter to the Editor: Inter-departmental collegiality necessary

Professor Weintraub's impassioned letter of Nov. 19 skewers the staff of the library, "nonacademic employees" in his words, for, in his opinion, encroaching on the prerogatives of the faculty at Duke. He does concede that the library is an "academic support operation" but his letter has a strong air of condescension about it. There is little collegiality evident in his letter which sets faculty against staff and is quite strongly worded on purpose concluding with "I think you get my point."

Weintraub's point is indeed evident, but another valid point is that we are a community united in the pursuit of the honorable and worthy goals of research and teaching. Many constituencies, the library being only one, make up our university. Each of us has, or is encouraged to acquire, training appropriate to his or her position, and each of us strives to stay abreast of changing conditions.

Combining teaching, reading e-reserves, copyright and technology is simply one of many complex endeavors dealt with almost daily at Duke. Our task is made far easier through planning and working together and shared participation. Success in our classrooms, labs and libraries today requires the cooperation and support of many in our academic community. I for one prefer collegiality, "Duke contract" or "Faculty Bylaws" notwithstanding.

William King