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It wouldn't be hard to imagine paying a not for profit institution directly instead of via taxes. Then its funding would be unaffected by political vagaries, as
by robertlagrant 2y ago
It wouldn't be hard to imagine paying a not for profit institution directly instead of via taxes. Then its funding would be unaffected by political vagaries, as it would be funded by people's choice.
- cguess 2y agoBecause libraries are often used by the people who can least afford it. They offer resume classes, ESL, computer literacy, some will even have collections of clothes that can be borrowed for job interviews. Libraries should be a public service, not a private institution.
- robertlagrant 2y agoI understand what libraries do, but one doesn't preclude the other. Not for profits and charities are basically a one-way funnel of money from people who have it to people who don't, modulo not for profit salaries.
- relaxing 2y agoIt sounds dismal. In an economic downturn the funding would dry up when people need it most.
- robertlagrant 2y agoI don't see people cancelling their Netflix subscriptions in a downturn; quite the opposite. Libraries could give very good value for money.
- relaxing 2y agoI was referring to large grants from wealthy donors, which is how nonprofits operate. To be entirely revenue funded a library would have to charge gym membership prices. I don’t see people going for it. Netflix was still pretty niche in 2009. You’ve got a lot of poor friends? Who were movie buffs?
- robertlagrant 2y agoMy comment wasn't particularly limited to 2009.