The widespread use of the Internet gave rise to the view that all knowledge is to be found there and that books and libraries are becoming redundant. A few probes aimed at exploring its depths found that while its speed and subject coverage are without equal, the "Net" is not the universal tool it is made out to be. The author then makes a case for extreme care in abandoning books and libraries and warns of the turbulence inherent in every technology changeover. (Contains 1 table.)