'No, Amazon Cannot Replace Libraries' (vice.com) 214
Over the weekend, Forbes published an article titled "Amazon Should Replace Local Libraries to Save Taxpayers Money," in which the author Panos Mourdoukoutas argued that libraries are no longer important to the community as the result of alternative "third places" like Starbucks, and "no shortage of places to hold community events," as well as streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime and the rise of e-books that have "turned physical books into collector's items, effectively eliminating the need for library borrowing services." The article did not bode well with many, including several librarians. Forbes has since taken down the article. From a report: Hundreds of Twitter users took to the platform to share both their anger with the piece and their love for libraries. People seemed to especially take issue with the author picking Amazon --notorious for its horrible treatment of employees, and accusations of ruining the cities it opens warehouses in -- as a potential replacement. Obviously, as the outrage from these users demonstrates, libraries are beloved and important in communities.
Mourdoukoutas's argument that libraries are becoming less useful is patently false, in a way that's fairly obvious. But the notion that libraries aren't worth their value to taxpayers -- one that fails to take into account the financial returns of a library and expenses of buying these items on one's own -- fails to address the vast importance a library has on its community as a physical space open to anyone in the public. Most of the utilities of libraries are quite obvious, like how they're essential to lowering the barrier of entry on activities that may be cost prohibitive. But many of us aren't aware of the impact our libraries have on our own communities, nor the programs they offer.
Mourdoukoutas's argument that libraries are becoming less useful is patently false, in a way that's fairly obvious. But the notion that libraries aren't worth their value to taxpayers -- one that fails to take into account the financial returns of a library and expenses of buying these items on one's own -- fails to address the vast importance a library has on its community as a physical space open to anyone in the public. Most of the utilities of libraries are quite obvious, like how they're essential to lowering the barrier of entry on activities that may be cost prohibitive. But many of us aren't aware of the impact our libraries have on our own communities, nor the programs they offer.
All the content is available on the Internet, but, (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:All the content is available on the Internet, b (Score:5, Informative)
Much of the content my library offers is in the form of access to very expensive online data services that are offered for free to library patrons. There's well over 100 services I get free at my library. I have free access to Lynda.com which would otherwise cost around $30/month. The city's largest newspaper has an online archive of every page they printed going back to the mid 19'th century. They charge $100/year for access. Or free at the library. And that's only 2 of the services.
I can borrow just about any new release DVD for free within a month of release date.
My library offers access to high end 3D printers at a cost of 3 cents/gram. Just order online by uploading your stl files, and pick up at the branch in a few days. And considering I don't have to pay for spoiled prints or babysit a wonky $500 printer, their price is actually fantastic. I haven't used them yet, but they also have a CNC milling machine and vinyl cutting machine that can be used on the same basis.
They also have a video studio greenroom I can use for free and a music recording studio I can I use for free. I can borrow a gopro camera for free too.
Oh yeah, I think my library also gives me access to books and magazines for free. I guess, maybe, amazon could help with that one. Though I do take issue with the article saying amazon ebooks can replace real books. I read around 100 books a year, I haven't read an ebook in over 10 years, I didn't like the experience then and I don't think I'd like it now.
And especially with Amazon. I remember shortly after Kindle came out, they remotely deleted all the George Orwell books people had bought for their kindles when the publisher changed their mind about licensing the books. If I buy a print book, Amazon can't (legally, yet) break into my home and take back the book when they change their mind about selling it. For that reason alone, I will *never* use amazon for ebooks.
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Re: All the content is available on the Internet, (Score:3)
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That's why IP Owners hate libraries (Score:3, Interesting)
Content owners have a natural incentive to see libraries as a way that people can steal their stuff for free. That isn't an accurate description, of course, but that is how content owners see it. Borrowing IS stealing.
So, people in this group, and their sympathizers, level assaults against libraries in which they come up with bullshit reasons to try and convince everyone to get rid of them.
As far as I can tell, that's all this is.
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However, libraries are also the gateway to people becoming lifelong book readers as well. If there were no libraries then the market for books would be much lower. Most libraries aren't keeping around only the best sellers, they have a lot of obscure books, older books, technical resources, and stuff that's out of print.
Re:All the content is available on the Internet, b (Score:5, Interesting)
My library has a 3D printer that's free to use. My kids love going there, finding a pattern on Thingiverse, and printing out something. (One day I might even try designing my own pattern.) We use the DVD rentals at our library also as well as audiobooks, events, and so much more. I know people love complaining about taxes, but I'd willingly double the amount of taxes that I pay for my local library. The more resources they have, the more awesome they are, and the more kids will be exposed to the awesome public libraries.
Re:All the content is available on the Internet, b (Score:4, Interesting)
(One day I might even try designing my own pattern.)
If you have a Windows 10 system kicking around anywhere, you may want to checkout the included "3D Builder" program.
It can import/export STL files and is a surprisingly good 3D design program for being Microsoft born.
I picked up the basic controls and functions within an hour, and after a few hours over a long weekend it no longer felt like I was fighting with 2d input devices in a 3d world.
My first project was to grab an NES cartridge slot lid from thingiverse and modify it for a retropie case mod.
I now have a lid with a hole and screw mounts for a 0.9" LCD, and the i2c wiring within the plastic running back to the hinge, as well as a custom logo cavity on the front.
Editing an existing design made it far quicker with the learning curve required and worked far better than KiCad for me. Perhaps once I get to making things from scratch I'll revisit higher end CAD programs, but for just dinking around to learn it works great.
It might even impress the kids by letting them throw their own little personal touches on an existing design without too much frustration.
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vinyl cutting machine
At first I thought this meant something that could cut vinyl phonograph recordings. That would be awesome, and something that libraries used to offer long ago. I never saw one, that was before my time, but I've read about them. A quick search on the interwebs though tells me what was referred to was likely a device that makes cutouts into sheets of vinyl for stencils and such. Still useful, but not near as awesome.
I do agree that libraries are now far more than a place people go to read books. I found
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Our local library even has a small planetarium that does monthly shows/lectures, and this is in BFE middle of nowhere. I was shocked.
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Now that's cool. I would go to that kind of thing regularly if it was available.
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I'm also talking about Google or Duck Duck Go or whatever your favorite search engine is. Sometimes a
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i can see ongoing value in libraries even though I do all of my reading on Kindle and its library borrowing sibling, Overdrive. It's nice to have a community information center that not only still has a trove of physical books that may include irreplaceable references to local history and culture, but offers gathering places, high-quality printers, proctored search help, and even maker space equipment.
Now if only it were still legal to keep out the stinking bums. Libraries used to be places where you could
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Why should the local taxpayers pay for your books and 3D printed gewgaws?
An excellent question. Here's another, why should my tax dollars pay for the education of your children?
I had someone argue with me that the Library of Congress was unconstitutional and a waste of taxpayer money. The library's original purpose was to be a resource for members of Congress, and others in government, so that they might be able to educate themselves on topics that concern the nation. To meet this purpose they kept not just books but also maps and other materials that would meet this purpose.
All the content is NOT available on the Internet (Score:5, Insightful)
What in the hell does this mean? Do you know that libraries contain *books* that anybody can read and check out for free? The only books available on the Internet are a handful of 100+ year old out-of-copyright books.
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All the content is available on the Internet, What in the hell does this mean? Do you know that libraries contain *books* that anybody can read and check out for free? The only books available on the Internet are a handful of 100+ year old out-of-copyright books.
Those aren’t the only books on the internet that are free. Those are the only books that are legally available for free in all jurisdictions. Some countries don’t care if you steal books or other IP from people who do not live and pay taxes in that country.
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I believe you mean "freely available" as there are tons of more recent works available for purchase. Having to purchase them of course obviously puts them out of competition with libraries and into opposition to book stores. Even as a store front though the internet is still frequently a disappointment. I don't read nearly as much as I used to and I still find series that are only partially available as ebooks. Recently I was reading The Culture novels and found that books 4, 5, and 6 apparently aren't avai
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The benefit of libraries is that its curated. You can ask a librarian questions that Amazon's search service can't comprehend.
. . . and . . . when you ask librarians for something, they won't deluge you with ads for useless crap that you don't want anyway.
"So you are looking for something about Friedrich Nietzsche . . . would you also be interested in the works of Dr. Seuss . . . ?"
Fahrenheit Forbes-Five-One, indeed.
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Libraries are also free. This is of great importance for poorer people, including students. Of course, Forbes probably doesn't care about those people.
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Congratulations! You either didn't read the summary, or you didn't think the last line applied to you.
But many of us aren't aware of the impact our libraries have on our own communities, nor the programs they offer.
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But many of us aren't aware of the impact our libraries have on our own communities, nor the programs they offer.
As a "Friend of the Library" who pays money to be one, I have a good handle on the "programs".
1. They are a great place for homeless people to sleep during the day, with bathrooms and water fountains, and if they are literate enough, stuff to read. Also daily papers they can read the comics in and do the crosswords.
2. It's a free babysitting service when they run a movie night.
3. Some libraries (not mine) pay for toys that college kids can come play with, like 3D printers.
4. They have free (I think) m
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Libraries are the first and last opportunity for an education. It is not a just place to get the latest movies and free p0rn. It is a place where a young person can go and be surrounded by a curated collection of stuff that is made just for them, where the
Best-curated library in the world (now destroyed) (Score:2)
The Donnell Library in New York had a young adults collection that was the best collection of books for any teenager, or any adult trying to learn a new subject. I grew up in that library, from 1955 when it opened until Mayor Bloomberg destroyed it in 2008, in a botched attempt to sell the land to a developer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
What I appreciated the most was two sets of bookshelves in the 500s (math and science) and 600s (technology). I could stand in front of the bookcases and see every go
Yes Starbucks have replaced libraries. (Score:5, Funny)
Since anyone can now poop there and the WiFi is free, Starbucks are now effectively a library replacement.
Only one more step remains, Starbucks needs to implement a policy where customers sitting in the shop are required to hand over laptops to homeless to watch at least five minutes of porn when asked.
Re:Yes Starbucks have replaced libraries. (Score:5, Insightful)
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Yeah, since Starbucks already made being black obsolete, they might as well replace libraries too...
Yeesh, how did Forbes of all places decide to publish that article.
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Forbes is all about the clickbait. They published the article just to enrage people and get them to indignantly share it.
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Libraries are mostly used as daycares these days, a function for which Starbucks would be particularly ill adapted. Unless of course your kid needs the free heroin needles.
Heads up on the insults - may need to re-think (Score:2)
Superfaggot Ken Doll
I find it interesting that through many years almost no-one has used the "Ken Doll" insult. Perhaps too obvious showing a lack of intelligence or creativity?
But I've also wondered if that doesn't backfire as an insult, since Ken is the most handsome and wealthy of all the dolls. It actually ends up being rather a complement to claim that I am rich, good looking, and date hot blonde women with ultra-smooth skin who have had a lot of work done.
As for "superfaggot" whenever I see that I s
Its simple (Score:4, Insightful)
If libraries are being used by a lot of people, then they are providing value. If there are little or no people using them, then they are providing little value.
If certain books haven't been checked out in 20 years, maybe its best to have an on-line version available and kiosks instead of shelves.
Re:Its simple (Score:5, Insightful)
Libraries act as a backstop to services that have become critical to living in our world.
e.g. internet access for job search, research, free meeting spaces for students and community groups (sure those can happen in Starbucks, but not everyone has the desire or ability to pay for overpriced coffee), checking out media/movies / documentaries.
tutoring help, Librarians knowing how to navigate internet searches, old people .. simply holding a book in your hands and reading it.
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Also, libraries can serve as cooling centers for people who don't have A/C when the temp exceeds 100F. Doesn't Starbucks throw you out if you stay too long without coffee?
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If libraries are being used by a lot of people, then they are providing value. If there are little or no people using them, then they are providing little value.
If certain books haven't been checked out in 20 years, maybe its best to have an on-line version available and kiosks instead of shelves.
Although I can see a utility argument I do not agree that a library article that "haven't been checked out in 20 years" should be replaced with only fast-turnover articles, or replaced with a digital version (which, probably, would come up against copyright owner issues, whether that be cost or simple refusal to publish in that form, which is hardly unheard of).
A collection of rarely read books is in some ways the fundamental purpose of a library.
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A library should not be treated as an entertainment center. A library should be a place of learning. And a place of learning is not easily replaced by for-profit Forbes-approved commercial retailers.
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You'll find most actual libraries trash books very quickly once they hit low turnover. They don't have the space for a rarely read book unless it has some historical value.
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A collection of rarely read books is in some ways the fundamental purpose of a library.
One of my favourite sections of the library is the "Rare Books" and similar sections where you can't check anything out, and have to read it there. I have a particular interest in some local history and a lot of the accounts of these events can only be found in someone's memoirs or similar, where there may only be one or two copies in existence. There's also a certain je-ne-sais-quois about holding a real piece of history in your hands.
There are items that have been stored for decades and decades, and you n
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If there are little or no people using them, then they are providing little value.
While true, you have to look at the reason. There are good libraries and bad libraries. A bad library may be worse than no library at all as you point out. But the solution is a good library.
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Sometimes the best parts of the libraries are the old out of print books that no one has checked out in years.
Author (Score:2)
author Panos Mourdoukoutas argued that libraries are no longer important to the community
kalos malakas eisai kai su.
If AMZN wanted to... (Score:3)
If AMZN wanted to open 15,000 brick-and-mortar book shops in underserved neighborhoods and small towns... they would be doing so. They aren't, and aren't about to start doing that. Even if some moron writes a think-piece about how nice it would be for them to to that.
The original article from Mourdoukoutas suggesting a corporate book store with wifi, coffee shop, a community bulletin board, bathrooms and chairs for the homeless to sit and read magazines. Hmm... toss in a stupid-hot goth checkout clerk and you've just reinvented my college-era Borders from 2001. Good times. Good times. They kinda went bankrupt with that model, though...
Value at but what cost (Score:2)
I live in Boston, so I will use that as a reference
https://budget.boston.gov/capital-projects/boston-public-library/
https://boston.curbed.com/boston-development/2017/10/23/16516694/dudley-library-branch-boston-renovation
My local library in Boston is getting upgraded for a grand total of about 20 million. The library has potential to be of use but the reality is no one uses it. It is an obscene waste of money to spend 20 million to maintain a space most commonly used by a half dozen elderly men to play check
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There are people who definitely go there to get work/studying done as opposed to sitting in a starbucks or coffee shop.
I've never seen any old men there playing checkers but I'm sure it happens
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on the other hand, if you want to ensure that it is used less and less, forgo maintenance. it's been a while since I've been in a Boston library, but they were well supplied back then and busy.
on the other hand, the Seattle/King county libraries are delightful, generally full of people and a fantastic resource for a variety of practical information that I was completely unable to find online. simply because they had a selection of out-of-print books that no one else had checked out for quite some time it is
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GP is not the only poster to point out that "no one uses it" (the library), and go on to detail the few people who hang out there... ...but hang on there!
How does GP know how many people / who uses the library, at any time?
Since the simple answer is often correct I'll posit: They don't know! They're simply having a grumble at what they perceive as another example of government waste (their real beef) whilst having no clue as to what they're talking about.
Unless you're a regular visitor, across all times of
Did not 'bode' well? Sign! (Score:2, Informative)
The phrase 'The article did not bode well' *should* mean something like 'The article posed an existential threat' for something (like libraries). Or 'The article portended doom' or 'The article foretold disaster'
I think the writer wanted to say 'The article did not sit well'
Sorry about the word-nazism, but this stuff really grates on me.
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Sorry about the word-nazism, but this stuff really grates on me.
Never apologize for being a grammar Nazi. Lesser beings must [xkcd.com] be corrected!
Isn't this a local decision? (Score:3, Insightful)
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Money? (Score:3)
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So, then, money is all that matters in any societal-level discussion? That's really sad if that's what you think.
I think it's about local populations making decisions for themselves. If they want a library then they can keep it. If they decide it isn't needed they can close it. My only point about money is that they, the local population, are paying for it so they, same local population, can decide what to do. It's not right that others dictate from afar how local affairs are done other than extreme basics. I like the library concept and have no problem with my tax dollars going that way - but I don't consider li
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It's not so much the money as it is that the "other half" are trash that don't deserve it and are fucking poisonous to the country. :)
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I should have been more specific: I was referring to the people WITH all the money.
Re:Isn't this a local decision? (Score:5, Insightful)
I know it's trendy for half the country to force their views on the other half but this is a local decision. If the local population wants to close the libraries that's their choice since they are the ones paying for them.
I agree. And I want my money back from social security. Oh yeah and I don’t have any children in schools so I want that money back. I walk everywhere I go and therefore interstates don’t benefit me directly so I want that money back as well. I have never had to call the police on anyone, so let’s stop paying for that. I’ve never had to deal with the fire department either, let’s defund that. I mean, you’re forcing your views on what a community needs on me and that’s not fair, right?
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people who don't want to pay for public works should be forced to wear blindfolds when walking around at night, because I don't want them using the streetlights they aren't paying for.
Re:Isn't this a local decision? (Score:5, Interesting)
This article has nothing to do with a "local decision". It's the opinion of some Economics professor at a third-rate university that Amazon should replace libraries. It has absolutely nothing to do with "local populations".
In fact, I would be surprised if you could find a single community that wants to close its public library. Pew Research did a study that showed nearly 90% of people believe that closing the local public library would have a negative effect on their community, with 65% of those people saying it would have a major negative effect.
Communities love their libraries.
To summarize: This is not the decision of a local population. There is no indication that any local populations want to get rid of their libraries. It's some academic in a pseudo-scientific field, Economics, which is actually less rigorous than parapsychology, giving his own idiotic opinion. His name is Panos Mourdoukoutas, which sounds like some flaming dish you'd order at the Greek Islands Restaurant on Halsted Street. He's gotten his 15 seconds of fame out of his stupid opinion, which was so bad that Forbes Magazine has deleted it from their site out of sheer embarrassment.
Divide and Conquer (Score:3)
Yes, some regions are too poor to afford libraries. This is what federal grants are for. If you like science and technology you want a well educated population. A poorly educated population will, sooner or later, collapse and find themselves a dictator who promises to fix things. That never ends well for people who like science and technology. We tend to be considered dangerous when that happens.
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https://www.npr.org/2018/02/21... [npr.org]
Is there no end to witless and stupid Greeks . . . (Score:2)
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Uh... Spartans are also Greek.
Books in libraries don't suddenly disappear (Score:5, Interesting)
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Books in libraries are also available, for free, to those who don't own fancy electronic book readers.
Public libraries are one of the great things about America...free to all, no questions asked.
- fair notice: my daughter is a middle school librarian
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Public libraries are one of the great things about America...free to all, no questions asked.
Thanks in large part to robber baron guilt [wikipedia.org]. Given that we're busily descending into a new Gilded Age, I guess the libraries in America can look forward to a new contruction boom—in 2080 or so. (It takes a while to fully complete those continent-straddling trusts.)
Libraries are free... (Score:3)
Libraries are free. Unlike e-books, their books don't need batteries to work. Even if you have a computer, they're also a lot cheaper and friendlier than KinkoFedex for copying and color printing.
And I have two on my walk home from work. Yay for living in a real city! WOOT!
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Libraries are free.
1. TINSTAAFL. You or your parents have been paying for libraries your whole life.
Unlike e-books, their books don't need batteries to work.
2. E-readers last dozens and dozens of hours and many feature built-in lighting which means you can read comfortably in all lighting conditions.
Even if you have a computer, they're also a lot cheaper and friendlier than KinkoFedex for copying and color printing.
3. Agreed
And I have two on my walk home from work. Yay for living in a real city! WOOT!
4. What if you checked out 20 books, and had them all with you at all times in the approximate dimensions of a paperback?
All that said, I love libraries and think they will always have a place, but I'd like to be able to easily borrow books for my e-reader too.
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All that said, I love libraries and think they will always have a place, but I'd like to be able to easily borrow books for my e-reader too.
Have you checked whether your local library offers this? Ours does, via a system called Overdrive. Most of the books are available in Kindle format, although some use an Adobe digital format instead. Overdrive ties in with Amazon, and it’s pretty frictionless getting things to your Kindle.
They also offer audiobooks at our library. For both e-books and audiobooks, you don’t have to physically visit the place... you can do it all from the library’s website.
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It may be that I've just lucked out - what I've wanted to read has just happened to coincide well with their ebook catalog. I don't currently have a sense regarding how thorough the list of titles is, compared to their physical book collection.
But I must say that the one time a title I wanted was not available, I submitted a "suggestion to buy" - and a few days later they did! Obviously your milage may vary... but I've always liked our local library. Even in the "old days" the staff there came across as res
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2. E-readers last dozens and dozens of hours and many feature built-in lighting which means you can read comfortably in all lighting conditions.
That's great and all, but we may not always have electrical infrastructure. Think of libraries as part of what's needed to rebuild civilization in a major disaster.
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Libraries are free.
And there you have the problem with the guy’s entire premise. Unless, of course, he’s advocating that Amazon become the recipient of tax dollars and start offering their e-books to everyone at no additional cost.
By the way, Amazon also sells bottled water. Perhaps we can do without municipal water utilities...
FWIW I regularly use my local library to borrow e-books which I read on my Kindle.
ETHICS! (Score:5, Insightful)
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/go... [ala.org]
Re:ETHICS! (Score:4, Informative)
I will not speak of Amazon's data policies but the ALA to a man, woman, or other will SLAM their fist down upon the drive wipe button if someone comes in thinking their warrant means something. This isn't just a threat, many did as soon as "The Patriot Act" was even being considered.
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/go... [ala.org]
DO NOT piss off a librarian! They are some of the staunchest defenders of civil rights in the country.
Small government folks... (Score:4, Interesting)
It's not about small government (Score:5, Insightful)
yeesh (Score:4, Insightful)
Among the many, many, many problems with this horrible idea, there is the fact that private companies (such as Amazon and Starbucks) are not obliged to uphold the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. (Whenever unpopular speech is suppressed, for example on a platform like Facebook, the pro-suppression argument always leads off with "It's their platform and they have a right to kick you off it if they don't like your speech").
Amazon "could' replace libraries but... (Score:4, Insightful)
My problem with this, with ANY internet service replacing paper books, is 1984
When a book (or as has happened the Declaration of Independence) is prohibited, it could just disappear. Worse, particular words could be dropped or added (say, the word "Not") seamlessly
Having real books removed or modified is much harder
Of *COURSE* Amazon Can Replace Libraries (Score:3)
(Some sorting and assembly required, building not included.)
Out of touch (Score:2)
I think the author of the article is one of those out of touch with anybody in the bottom 50% of income.
e.g. "If somebody is on the commercial do not fly list, they could always charter a plane". Ignoring that most people can't afford to charter a plane.
Libraries provide a necessary role that has gone way beyond simply checking books out.
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I think the author of the article is one of those out of touch with anybody in the bottom 50% of income.
Which is ironic, since the vast majority of writers fall into that 50%.
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ironic but not unexpected, nobody likes to think they are disadvantaged, some are just better than others at thinking that it doesn't apply to them...
Libraries are underrated (Score:4, Insightful)
My experience is that people who have the misguided opinion that libraries are obsolete haven't used them.
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I'd definitely echo that. Back when I was a kid, libraries had books and, if you were really lucky, microfiche copies of papers/magazines. They were an invaluable resource then, but if that's all they were today I could see why people would think they were outdated. If I pictured the library only as a place where a kid could look up information in a physical encyclopedia or on microfiche, I'd call it outdated also. Step into virtually any decently funded library, though, and you'll see they haven't kept the
No problem, Amazon (Score:2)
BTW, we just sold the street leading up to your corporate HQ to Waymo.
Homeschoolers Unite! (Score:2)
Libraries are more than just a place to get free books.
Libraries have a lot of activities for kids. Small-scale showmen do magic shows, puppet plays, play music, our library has a Minecraft club to discuss creation ideas, methods, mod programming, and a lot of other things.
Our library has a section where students of various ages meet with their tutors.
Some of our nearby libraries have a decent (somewhat expensive, better than the cheapest things) 3d printer, and my son is very interested in learning about t
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Uh, have you ever seen magic shows or plays at a Starbucks? I havent...
They can make a $5 bill disappear.
I love libraries (Score:5, Interesting)
When I was a kid, my local librarians knew me by name. I would come into the library, take out a stack of books, come back a week later, return them, and take out another stack. Now that I'm a father, my boys love going to the library. Yes, there are still books there and they enjoy that, but there are also movies, music, audio books, museum passes, 3D printers, computers, and so much more.
I'll admit that I like Amazon. Their Prime service is very nice and I like being able to fit thousands of books on my Kindle. Still, they are no library replacement. Not even close. Replacing libraries with Amazon.com would be a travesty.
Big difference (Score:2)
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A good librarian is an absolute treasure. Last time I was in my local library, I witnessed a guy come in and pose a question to the librarian. The reply was "I don't know for sure, but lets figure it out." and the librarian then proceeded to walk the person through doing the research in a very thoughtful way, also hopefully teaching them how to think through similar questions the next time.
Hundreds (Score:2)
Hundreds of Twitter users took to the platform to share both their anger with the piece and their love for libraries.
Hundreds! Hundreds, mind you!
(I love libraries; that just struck me as funny.)
Kinda done tolerating neocons/lolbertarians (Score:2)
Is there a public service that these brain geniuses think can't be replaced by ~*the free market*~?
Here's the thing about commercial info sources. (Score:2)
Because companies like Amazon are attempting to shape your consumption, they have to track your consumption. Not just your actual consumption, but everything that passes by your eyeballs is carefully cataloged so they can predict what you are likely to do in the future.
Libraries by contrast delete your borrowing history after you return a book. They do this explicitly to protect you from the government.
The public library is a traditional American institution designed to empower the people with information
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The whole fear of the government compiling a list of gun owners is laughable; if a future government wanted to confiscate everyone's guns, they could simply buy a list of gun owners from a commercial data broker.
I assume ATF has already done this.
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ATF is not allowed to have such a thing. By law it is not allowed to have any searchable databases of gun owners.
ATF does collect gun sales records from defunct gun dealers, to aid in tracing guns used in crimes. However it is not allowed to index or search that database electronically, instead clerks manually search through digitized images of paper records. These records are not even allowed to be sorted electronically.
Again, this doesn't really prevent the government from figuring out who owns guns,
Re: Sure it can (Score:2)
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I understand you needed a requisite amount of verbiage, a critical mass to imply a list. Unfortunately, all the overreaching ultimately causes the tirade to gut itself.
Except for the "masturbating homeless" it sounded like you wanted to describe Dracula's Manor. Which, if abandoned, probably would attract vagrants actually.
And if they're the only price for everything I see described in other posts, I will defend the American library for years yet. That's just the facility, the community hub - on top of that
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It is interesting that some individuals think that their personal experience represents factual data regarding the use of libraries across a wide range of geographies, cultures, and socio-economic realities, and are suggesting public policy be made based on their personal experience. I think it is fortunate that most libraries are maintained by local governments whose population is most likely able to decide for themselves whether or not their local library has outlived its usefulness.
My local library is
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This is twenty first century America, where stupid is fashionable.