Speaking of that “Five reasons why libraries are - potentially - fucked” article.
Here’s what precedes it:
Secondly - I’m going to point this out now - When they’re run “correctly” libraries are awesome. Simple as that. A good library should [imo] be a cathedral of learning. They should be full of books [of any format - hardcovers, paperbacks, eBooks, large print, braille, audio books etc, etc], and run by skilled librarians [all earning at least 5x more than they currently do] who are passionate not only about the books that surround them, but turning people onto new books.
Sadly, this post is being written from the perspective of someone who uses his library system as little as possible. I’ll outline most of the reasons why throughout the “article”, but given the title, and given some of the things I’ll be writing, I wanted to go on record with it. I figured before I got “started” I should take a few minutes not only to address the background to this post [in terms of re-writes] but to also point out I’m not “Anti-library” in any shape or form.
Like I said, I might not be a fan of my local library, to the point of loathing the way it’s run, and not understanding some of the operating decisions [I once had a librarian tell me, to my face, that “people like you” are responsible for the threat to librraians’ jobs. People like you, referring, to people who use Kindles.
This is within a public library system that offers:
and which has two floors full of computers, with internet access.
- DVDs
- Blu-Rays
- Pedometers
- Home Energy Kits
- Talkaways
- Audio Books
All of which, is excellent, and goes to prove that libraries can adapt, to reflect the 21st century needs of the local communities.
So why the eBook hate?
Anyway - with all that said - I’d still rather Waterstones, and every independent bookstore in the country, went out business, before we close the doors to public libraries.
Such a crappy attitude towards them…
:rolleyes:
