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Agree, and I also don’t see why government should be involved in book rental. Why books and not say, car rental? What about jetski rental? (If the argument is
by brap 4mo ago
Agree, and I also don’t see why government should be involved in book rental. Why books and not say, car rental? What about jetski rental?
(If the argument is that subsidizing books helps the poor, I’m all for it, a nonprofit or a charity would be a much better framework)
This is the public sector M.O, instead of admitting something is obsolete they grab more scope and funding.
My local post office now sells iPhones. And why shouldn’t they? Nobody stopped them when they just sold SIM cards, and then cases and chargers. It’s like a law of nature.
- IshKebab 4mo agoBecause being able to read book is good for society. > a nonprofit or a charity would be a much better framework Why? I do agree that libraries (in the UK at least) have mostly failed to see the writing on the wall and diversify. I used to live near a library that was on the edge of a super popular park. They had a "give us improvement suggestions" thing and I spoke to them about taking advantage of the park - it would have been a prime spot to open a cafe attached to the library. They actually couldn't comprehend that idea. Like, that's not what libraries are.
- zajio1am 4mo agoAt least in EU, private book/media rental is not legal without special licensing from copyright holders, while public libraries have exception for this.
- ghaff 4mo agoIn the US, there's not much demand for media rental any longer (RIP Blockbuster)--which has been largely replaced by licenced media streaming--but there are certainly private libraries of various types.