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> And I doubt many people oppose supporting local libraries. Previous threads on HN (and many other fora) about local libraries in the US, bring out a lot of p

> And I doubt many people oppose supporting local libraries. Previous threads on HN (and many other fora) about local libraries in the US, bring out a lot of people who complain about local libraries. They say that libraries smell bad because homeless people sit there all day (and supposedly view pornography on the provided computers, and use drugs in the bathroom). They say that libraries are a waste of taxpayer money now that we have the internet and they should be shut down. I cannot claim to have visited every community in the USA, but it seems to me that a lot of people oppose supporting local libraries.

automatoney 8y ago
I had forgotten about the people who complain about homeless people (which as an aside I would argue is more of an issue with society than with libraries themselves), but I haven't seen too much of the "we have the internet and they should be shut down" arguments. It seems that those opposed to libraries on this site have likely forgotten the Hacker part of Hacker News. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_ethic#The_hacker_ethics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_ethic#The_hacker_ethics
zdragnar 8y ago
From my observations, it seems that the vocal opposition is far outnumbered by the quiet supporters. My small town library is expanding, not simply for more room for books, but also to make it a nicer space for events and programs open to the community. The internet situation out here is also pretty bad (I use ubifi), so it's handy for those who are low income to access the internet without using data from their cell phone.
tooltalk 8y ago
I used to work for NYPL years back. Apparently there are also gangs having sex (eg, gang initiation) at some branches -- this topic was actually covered during my orientation. I agree many branches are essentially day-time shelters for homeless (sure, they smell really bad) and drug addicts. Not sure about "shutting them down," but they try to justify their existence even in the age of the internet and wireless communication by claiming that they serve various unheeded needs of local community other agencies are unable to provide. Are they really a waste of taxpayers money? Well, most librarians are unions members and they are not for the most part a drain on NYC finance -- we are talking about NYC where NYPD officers can make $150+K or sky-is-the-limit earnings for MTA contractors. I think the city has much greater issues at its hand, but the library system is far from frugal or efficient, IMO. Some work for the library because they share and believe in the mission and service they provide to community, but I suspect many don't care about that.
- killjoywashere 8y ago
  If public libraries would serve coffee and get serious about wi-fi, they would make money. Why is there not a Starbucks morticed into every public library?
  - notfromhere 8y ago
    lots of public libraries have coffee shops inside, though generally not starbucks. At least in a bunch that I've been in Illinois

automatoney 8y ago

I had forgotten about the people who complain about homeless people (which as an aside I would argue is more of an issue with society than with libraries themselves), but I haven't seen too much of the "we have the internet and they should be shut down" arguments. It seems that those opposed to libraries on this site have likely forgotten the Hacker part of Hacker News. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_ethic#The_hacker_ethics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_ethic#The_hacker_ethics

zdragnar 8y ago

From my observations, it seems that the vocal opposition is far outnumbered by the quiet supporters. My small town library is expanding, not simply for more room for books, but also to make it a nicer space for events and programs open to the community. The internet situation out here is also pretty bad (I use ubifi), so it's handy for those who are low income to access the internet without using data from their cell phone.

tooltalk 8y ago

I used to work for NYPL years back. Apparently there are also gangs having sex (eg, gang initiation) at some branches -- this topic was actually covered during my orientation. I agree many branches are essentially day-time shelters for homeless (sure, they smell really bad) and drug addicts. Not sure about "shutting them down," but they try to justify their existence even in the age of the internet and wireless communication by claiming that they serve various unheeded needs of local community other agencies are unable to provide. Are they really a waste of taxpayers money? Well, most librarians are unions members and they are not for the most part a drain on NYC finance -- we are talking about NYC where NYPD officers can make $150+K or sky-is-the-limit earnings for MTA contractors. I think the city has much greater issues at its hand, but the library system is far from frugal or efficient, IMO. Some work for the library because they share and believe in the mission and service they provide to community, but I suspect many don't care about that.

killjoywashere 8y ago
If public libraries would serve coffee and get serious about wi-fi, they would make money. Why is there not a Starbucks morticed into every public library?
- notfromhere 8y ago
  lots of public libraries have coffee shops inside, though generally not starbucks. At least in a bunch that I've been in Illinois