For those unfamiliar with Star Trek, "Dunsel" was a term introduced in the episode titled "The Ultimate Computer." It is a term used by Star Fleet cadets to refer to an entity that serves no useful purpose, in this case a human who has been replaced by a machine. The episode touches on finding the best balance between human and machine to run a complex system and explore the universe, or, in this case, to help users explore their information universe. In a recent piece in the "LJ Newswire" (October 22, 2009), Steven Bell, Associate University Librarian at Temple University, pretty much declares academic special libraries to be useless entities, which may be remembered fondly in the future but not miss. In this article, the author explains how she was rather dismayed by this attitude, though not surprised. As Bell points out, closing branches has become a trend. Is it a good trend? Is it a necessary trend? Is it good for the users? Time will tell. In this brief commentary, the author uses her personal experience to explore these questions and respond to Bell's article.