A letter to the editor of the Port Orchard (WA) Independent :
Are libraries really needed anymore?
If so, why aren’t people who use them willing to pay for that service?
Libraries aren’t a vital service and therefore library cardholders and the “Friends of the Library” should be more than willing to donate money and pay user fees for the luxury of having a library.
I guess I don’t quite understand why the public needs so many libraries.
We have libraries in most public schools, colleges and universities.
How many libraries do the public and the students really need?
Most every American has a desktop or laptop computer that can access websites to find the information needed in today’s complex world.
You can also read most books online at college and university websites.
Providing computers at public libraries is a huge cost to taxpayers.
I even know poor people who have computers. In this day and age, anyone who needs to use the library to access a computer is simply too cheap to buy their own.
Willing to pay?
Aren’t people who want to use roads, fire prevention services and police willing to pay for them? I’ve know poor people to own a gun, can’t they protect themselves? And buy a cheap hose to put out fires?
Most every American has a
Most every American has a desktop or laptop computer that can access websites to find the information needed in today’s complex world.
I would want to see the data to back up that assertion, I think.
Focus
If you were going to focus on a line to question I would go with this one – “You can also read most books online at college and university websites.”
op-ed
Hopefully, arguments against libraries won’t get more articulate than that.
Troll Bait
I don’t get why this one random letter to the editor got a place on LIS news. Yeah, some people think any services the government provides are a waste of tax pay money, this isn’t exactly newsworthy.
Willing to pay
sure guess I am since I live outside of the town district I DO pay for my library membership. I also have friends who volenteer their time at the library. We (that is I and my family use our library often. And I donate (oh ya I am poor too, and can use a computer). I also would hope I could construct a sentence better. 🙂
I just wonder ? Since when can you lay in bed and read a good computer….