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'No, Amazon Cannot Replace Libraries' (vice.com)
Over the weekend, Forbes published an article titled "Amazon Should Replace Local Libraries to Save Taxpayers Money," in which the author Panos Mourdoukoutas argued that libraries are no longer important to the community as the result of alternative "third places" like Starbucks, and "no shortage of places to hold community events," as well as streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime and the rise of e-books that have "turned physical books into collector's items, effectively eliminating the need for library borrowing services." The article did not bode well with many, including several librarians. Forbes has since taken down the article. From a report: Hundreds of Twitter users took to the platform to share both their anger with the piece and their love for libraries. People seemed to especially take issue with the author picking Amazon --notorious for its horrible treatment of employees, and accusations of ruining the cities it opens warehouses in -- as a potential replacement. Obviously, as the outrage from these users demonstrates, libraries are beloved and important in communities.
Mourdoukoutas's argument that libraries are becoming less useful is patently false, in a way that's fairly obvious. But the notion that libraries aren't worth their value to taxpayers -- one that fails to take into account the financial returns of a library and expenses of buying these items on one's own -- fails to address the vast importance a library has on its community as a physical space open to anyone in the public. Most of the utilities of libraries are quite obvious, like how they're essential to lowering the barrier of entry on activities that may be cost prohibitive. But many of us aren't aware of the impact our libraries have on our own communities, nor the programs they offer.
Mourdoukoutas's argument that libraries are becoming less useful is patently false, in a way that's fairly obvious. But the notion that libraries aren't worth their value to taxpayers -- one that fails to take into account the financial returns of a library and expenses of buying these items on one's own -- fails to address the vast importance a library has on its community as a physical space open to anyone in the public. Most of the utilities of libraries are quite obvious, like how they're essential to lowering the barrier of entry on activities that may be cost prohibitive. But many of us aren't aware of the impact our libraries have on our own communities, nor the programs they offer.
All the content is available on the Internet, but that means you have to sift through all the content on the internet. The benefit of libraries is that its curated. You can ask a librarian questions that Amazon's search service can't comprehend. It's the same reason professional conferences are still relevant. You can find everything presented in a conference on the internet, but until it's been presented to you, you don't have a clue what's worth searching for.
If libraries are being used by a lot of people, then they are providing value. If there are little or no people using them, then they are providing little value.
If certain books haven't been checked out in 20 years, maybe its best to have an on-line version available and kiosks instead of shelves.
I know it's trendy for half the country to force their views on the other half but this is a local decision. If the local population wants to close the libraries that's their choice since they are the ones paying for them.
Starbucks is essentially for consumers who don't read books and have no taste in coffees.
I will not speak of Amazon's data policies but the ALA to a man, woman, or other will SLAM their fist down upon the drive wipe button if someone comes in thinking their warrant means something. This isn't just a threat, many did as soon as "The Patriot Act" was even being considered.
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/go...
All the content is available on the Internet,
What in the hell does this mean? Do you know that libraries contain *books* that anybody can read and check out for free? The only books available on the Internet are a handful of 100+ year old out-of-copyright books.
I don't respond to AC's.
Among the many, many, many problems with this horrible idea, there is the fact that private companies (such as Amazon and Starbucks) are not obliged to uphold the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. (Whenever unpopular speech is suppressed, for example on a platform like Facebook, the pro-suppression argument always leads off with "It's their platform and they have a right to kick you off it if they don't like your speech").
My problem with this, with ANY internet service replacing paper books, is 1984
When a book (or as has happened the Declaration of Independence) is prohibited, it could just disappear. Worse, particular words could be dropped or added (say, the word "Not") seamlessly
Having real books removed or modified is much harder
I often have difficulty getting a parking space at our local library - its very popular.
My experience is that people who have the misguided opinion that libraries are obsolete haven't used them.
Greed is the root of all evil.
they want to pocket the tax money going to the libraries for themselves. They're not small government when it comes to the government contracts going to their business or the subsidies or the free roads or the developed land or anything else the government does that benefits them personally.
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