the future of libraries and ebooks on NPR

[rePete]

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

Of course, State or central government could fund it, as they are, after all, for the good of society, and its members ?

I don't want the feds ponying up to pay for things it is not permissable for it to pay for. For the good of Society has been a catch-all for both parties to blow taxes on pet projects.

I'm ok with the State chipping in to libraries, and even more so, city governments.

The feds need to stop spanking the monkey [no offense monkey-man] and stick to it's proper function.

[ficbot]

I think they should fold them into the schools. All schools here have libraries. Make them a tiny bit bigger and move them to a corner of the building where the public can access them without interrupting school activities, and it will be the best of both worlds. We have a public library here that is literally across the road from a high school. That is a duplication of services. Why can't the high school students use the public library instead of one inside the school building?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by rePete

..

The feds need to stop spanking the monkey [no offense monkey-man] and stick to it's proper function.

That's all well and good, but it's that "proper function" where the problems arise.

[J. Strnad]

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

Of course, State or central government could fund it, as they are, after all, for the good of society, and its members ?

Thus securing the continuing presence of Libraries, and assisting those without the means, to have the opportunities the rest of society has ?

It all kind of comes down to the same thing.

Faced with shrinking tax revenue, cities and states are cutting back on library funding. The people who pay the taxes have to want libraries or they'll continue to be defunded. If we want taxpayers to speak up for libraries, they have to be places that they themselves or the kids personally visit.

I have very fond memories of my public libraries, but I have to admit to not having set foot in one in ages...except to get the library card that lets me check out ebooks. Before that, it was to donate a truck bed full of paper books to their annual sale.

[rePete]

Originally Posted by J. Strnad

For decades libraries have defined themselves as "the place where the books and magazines are." Now they are no longer "the place where the books and magazines are" and they are left struggling to remain relevant as "the place where computers and the internet are."

Unfortunately, the people who can fund libraries have computers and internet access at home, leaving only those without money (who need the service) to fund them, which is not a strategy for survival.

They've been looking at their secondary function as community centers to remain relevant to a middle class clientele, but what do they offer that other community centers (such as parks, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc.) don't?

It's tough times for libraries.

Books and magazines: much more so than the other places you mentioned. This is one of the areas that I'd support a local tax (probably already do) to provide for libraries in my city. The staff at a library would be a lot more helpful for someone seeking information or computer know how than most of the community centers I find in my area.

[rePete]

Originally Posted by kennyc

That's all well and good, but it's that "proper function" where the problems arise.

From the fed point of view they have the Constitution as a guideline as to their "proper function". A more strict reading of the document [meaning, less liberal] would save a lot of money (penny saved is a penny earned: it all adds up). In my own city I'm vocal about library services for the community. There are easier places to trim the budget.

[Sydney's Mom]

The reason we support schools is that a more literate society benefits us all. That is my attitude towards libraries, as well. When I was a child, we couldn't afford to buy books - the library was my only source for reading material outside school. I will never vote to defund my library.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

The reason we support schools is that a more literate society benefits us all. That is my attitude towards libraries, as well. When I was a child, we couldn't afford to buy books - the library was my only source for reading material outside school. I will never vote to defund my library.

I agree, and the reason I was so upset when they voted to close several library branches here ...

[elcreative]

What he said, local government doing exactly the same in the UK... usual short-termism and then we all pay...

Originally Posted by kennyc

I agree, and the reason I was so upset when they voted to close several library branches here ...

[The Terminator]

I don't really like what HarperCollins is doing, but I still think that things should be changed in the library system, I like what someone said in the article about the library buying 1000 books and as they get used up they buy more. Even thought they might have to pay quite a bit for the books. The publisher still gets their money and I still get my book, but faster and easier. And we pay for the library in tax dollars!

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by rePete

Books and magazines: much more so than the other places you mentioned. This is one of the areas that I'd support a local tax (probably already do) to provide for libraries in my city. The staff at a library would be a lot more helpful for someone seeking information or computer know how than most of the community centers I find in my area.

Thank you! Librarians know a lot about getting information, both in print and online! That's one of the things they're paid to know. That's one of the reasons why they went to university, to learn library and information science.

[G J Lau]

Originally Posted by ficbot

I think they should fold them into the schools. All schools here have libraries. Make them a tiny bit bigger and move them to a corner of the building where the public can access them without interrupting school activities, and it will be the best of both worlds. We have a public library here that is literally across the road from a high school. That is a duplication of services. Why can't the high school students use the public library instead of one inside the school building?

We just had that discussion in our county. Many problems, not the least of which is that schools are on a very different operating schedule than are most people, unless you plan to keep schools open nights and weekends. Also, the kinds of books vary considerably between what might be in a typical school library and what a main library would hold. And do you really want all those people wandering in and out of the schools while your kids are there? The library clientele is quite varied, and we do get some types that you might not want mingling with the children.

Another point we make is that when the schools close for the day, your library IS the school. I totally agree that these are tough budgetary times and that every dollar must be watched, but libraries are worth fighting for. I am on the local library board and am very proud to serve in that capacity. I fully intend to do whatever I can to preserve a wonderful and still very relevant institution.

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by G J Lau

I totally agree that these are tough budgetary times and that every dollar must be watched, but libraries are worth fighting for.

I'm afraid these tough budgetary times are exacerbating class warfare. If my library closed when I was a child, who knows what would have happened (I certainly would not have ended up at Harvard Law School). But today, if the library closed, I believe our community would just drive to the bookstore. Times are tough for everyone-I may be able to buy my own books, but there are families in the next town over who may not be able to afford both their house and books. I don't want to live in a country where we have such class divisions. I especially don't want my daughter to grow up in such an environment.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I'm afraid these tough budgetary times are exacerbating class warfare. If my library closed when I was a child, who knows what would have happened (I certainly would not have ended up at Harvard Law School).

My library never closed when I was a child and I never ended up at Harvard Law School. Guess you had a better library than I did

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

My library never closed when I was a child and I never ended up at Harvard Law School. Guess you had a better library than I did

You're supposed to stay away from the porn. Sheesh!