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Old 08-02-2011, 11:39 AM   #10
abookreader
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I think that in US terms saying "Everybody has a library" is a little like saying "Every child gets a free education."
Everybody knows that education is not equal across our nation and neither are libraries.

Some places have fabulous libraries and some are lucky if they get the bookmobile to come through once a month. Some have a library that is 32 miles away and they have to take the bus with 3 transfers to get to it.

I suspect that we will eventually get to the point as a society where instead of focusing on building physical libraries, maintaining them, and staffing them (which is actually the greatest % of most libraries budgets - inventory is an afterthought in comparison) we will focus our dollars on technology. Libraries are more likely to become State or National programs rather than by community by community. On a Digital Platform, it really isn't that hard for a library in New York to service patrons in Alaska.

The hurdles that have to be solved are material availability and yes ... getting technology into the hands of people. Also, training and convincing them to utilize it.
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