Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Strnad
I can see why ebooks are an uncomfortable fit. Anyone who is logging on to a library site to download an ebook, has an ereader, a computer, and an internet connection. So why is it part of the library's mission to provide free ebooks to a fairly privileged class of people? Why is public tax money spent on this?
Now, I have to say that I have a Kobo and that I've checked out a number of library books, and I love being able to do that. But I can't honestly say that I feel entitled to this service as some kind of "right." In fact, it feels to me like a temporary pleasure, like a bubble, that is too fragile to last.
|
Maybe some are and maybe some aren't. I'm sure there are poor people who have computers, smartphones or e-Readers that can read e-Books. People get tax refunds or other sources of incomes that do allow them to make occasional electronic purchases.
Even if only privileged people read e-Books, they're still tax payers who support libraries. Libraries are meant to serve all patrons regardless of their incomes.
I think these types of arguments lead to a slippery slope that do hurt poor people. If libraries stop buying e-Books because the people who read them can afford to buy e-Books anyway and thus, shouldn't expect the library to buy them, what's to stop people from eventually thinking "well, people have e-Readers and can buy e-Books so why do we need libraries at all?"