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IMO the most important metric is "what percentage of kids can walk to a library without asking anybody". But nowadays people have internet, so I guess it's not
by ajuc 1y ago
IMO the most important metric is "what percentage of kids can walk to a library without asking anybody".
But nowadays people have internet, so I guess it's not THAT important anymore. The ideal library is just a website that lets you download pirated ebooks for free.
- burnt-resistor 1y agoYou've just reinvented Z-library. ;) The utility of the brick-and-mortar is that some/(many by state) libraries include services and physical items that can be checked out besides media. Plus, besides free Wi-Fi and meeting rooms, it's a non-consumption location to exist in a physical public space. There aren't many more free spaces in America. And, there are millions of people who can't afford internet, a tablet, a computer, or have a place for books. Millions of books and historical local newspapers don't exist in electronic form! But no, really, (most of) America is truly unwalkable for almost any activity.
- roywiggins 1y agoTo build a library close enough to most American kids that they could walk to it would likely be infeasible, because so many people live places that are simply not walkable at all.
- kjkjadksj 1y agoAnother commenter said 73% of americans live 1 mile of a library. Thats walkable. You don’t need brewpubcafes and tree lined streets to walk.
- ajuc 1y agoYou do need pavements tho, especially if the road has many lanes and people going 90 km/h.
- ipython 1y agoHave you seen pics of Houston? It can be infeasible to walk a mile if it’s split by a multi lane highway etc.
- burnt-resistor 1y agoMost American cities are bicyclist- and pedestrian-hostile. There are some that aren't like Davis CA in the 90's.
- devilbunny 1y agoCan I walk a mile? Yes. Can I walk a mile from my house? Not safely. There's a road I would have to walk down to get to anything that isn't on my street. One lane each way, no shoulders, no sidewalks, and very poor visibility of oncoming traffic due to an inconveniently placed hill. The nearest public library to my childhood home was 2.2 miles; I would occasionally bike to it before I had a car, but it involved crossing one major street.