Thread: Digital Underclass 2: The future of books and libraries
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Old 10-13-2011, 06:36 PM   #27
xg4bx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emellaich View Post
So, I know that this isn't popular, and I've posted similar thoughts before and met with resounding silence, but here goes (Most of these thoughts are specific to the U.S. situation).

I'm not sure that libraries in there current form should continue to exist. What is their purpose? Some questions that occur:
- Should we take money from taxpayers so that people who can buy books of their own get the books for free?
- Should we take money from authors by looking to buy a single book and making it available to the public?
- Why is there a duplicate library system between schools and the public library?

My thoughts on where libraries are or can be important:
1) Providing access across the digital divide. Not only is this humanitarian, but it makes cold, hard economic sense. For those who are economically disadvantaged who choose to use library (and internet) services we probably see more payback than cost. Those who educate themselves may well increase their future earning, thus increasing their tax payments and decreasing their public assistance costs. However, there doesn't seem to be a reason to lend DVDs to these folks.
2) Providing support for the educational system.
3) Providing access to government resources: Data, meeting minutes, rules, regulations.
4) Providing archival support for Orphaned works. It doesn't necessarily make economic sense to provide 'free' bestsellers to those who can make their own decision to buy them. However, after books have been on the market for five years, they are probably a bargain to acquire, they are probably earning little revenue for their creators, and, if they aren't being republished, they are in danger of being lost.

What other purposes can you think of for public libraries?

i agree. i just saw a stat that 68% of those in prison are illiterate. and literacy being tied to gainful employment is pretty much a fact.

i'm pretty much a slash and burn everything guy when it comes to government programs but at the very least we should provide the tools for literacy.
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