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Libraries create community and culture. I can't tell you how much value I get out of having a library across the street from me. I must go there at least weekly
by spodek 15y ago
Libraries create community and culture. I can't tell you how much value I get out of having a library across the street from me. I must go there at least weekly. I read books and see movies I wouldn't have otherwise. I meet neighbors there. Families bring children there. Libraries stock books and movies stores don't.
Having fewer libraries, even if bigger, doesn't match the value of a neighborhood library.
- gavinlynch 15y agoIf you did not have a family, would you still find value in the library? Not trying to put words in your mouth, but it seems it's biggest value is for parents with children.
- king_jester 15y agoIn my experience, I find huge value in my local library, and I have no children. For myself, when unemployed the library provided a fantastic public space for me to get away from the home and do some serious programming work and job hunting. I know a few people who work on their side project ideas at the library (they bring their own laptops for this) and I know several people who use the library as their only source of internet access. Keep in mind the value for a particular local library may not fall along your particular interests. Libraries serve the community as a whole, and there are many diverse needs for a typical community that a library has to serve.
- pradocchia 15y agofamilies are the future of society.
- wisty 15y agoAnd it's not like smaller libraries can't get books in, if you need them. These days, you can probably fill in a list of ISBNs on a website, and pick them up in a couple of days, as they can ship rarer books in from larger libraries. The only point in having libraries, not warehouses, is that people can visit them.