As part of our academic work, we are in contact with many libraries worldwide. This is almost always a fruitful connection. In recent years, libraries have developed into efficient service providers that present themselves professionally and highly competently as partners in knowledge transfer for today’s information needs. Messages to the Library of Congress in Washington, the British Library and the Bavarian State Library in Munich for example are always answered promptly (usually on the same day) and in detail. Many thanks at this point to the staff there. Their work is the basis of our work.
Unfortunately, however, there are still institutions that ignore the march of time. One such case is the University Library of Princeton with its magnificent Cotsen Children Library under the direction of A. Immel. This institution does not see fit to respond to requests. Over the years we have sent emails without ever receiving a reply. We consider this an impertinent obstruction of science. We have hesitated for a long time, but this has to be said: we are fed up with this kind of arrogant behavior. It is the opposite of efficient and customer-oriented library management. Their attitude seems to be: Please do not bother us! Shame on them!