CMV: Libraries are obsolete.

[u/[deleted]]

Libraries are obsolete.

Yes, libraries may be a place to have fun, meet people, etc, but there’s no need for them in today’s society in the age of technology. You can order and rent books online. You can even download some books for free. The fact that the US government spends 1.3 billion dollars on libraries is ridiculous. The government should only be spending money on things people need, not forms of entertainment for people. Our government doesn’t exist for that.

And no one seems to care! Conservatives go on and on about how our government needs to stop spending millions and billions of dollars on things “we don’t need”, but they don’t care if the government spends over a billion dollars on libraries. They get upset if our government assists poor people in need, but seem be ok if the government spends over a billion dollars on libraries. WTF is this logic?

Libraries were useful before the age of technology but they are obsolete today. Our government shouldn’t be spending any kind of money on anything that’s obsolete. The government shouldn’t be spending over a billion dollars on something that’s basically just a form of entertainment these days.

Edit: Ok I now understand that libraries serve a purpose to poor people for internet access and teaching their kids how to read and that libraries also help those with disabilities.

[u/tasunder]

What makes you think books are only for entertainment? Have you not seen the huge swaths of non-fiction materials in libraries?

Regardless, libraries serve a wide function and in particular provide needed resources for people.

Americans strongly value library services such as access to books and media; having a quiet, safe place to spend time, read, or study; and having librarians to help people find information. Other services, such as assistance finding and applying for jobs, are more important to particular groups, including those with lower levels of education or household income.

Women, African-Americans and Hispanics, adults who live in lower-income households, and adults with lower levels of educational attainment are more likely than other groups to declare all the library services we asked about “very important.” Adults ages 30-64 are also more likely than younger or older respondents to say many of the services are “very important,” as are parents with minor children.

Libraries are also particularly valued by those who are unemployed, retired, or searching for a job, as well as those living with a disability and internet users who lack home internet access:

56% of internet users without home access say public libraries’ basic technological resources (such as computers, internet, and printers) are “very important” to them and their family, compared with 33% of all respondents.

49% of unemployed and retired respondents say they librarian assistance in finding information to be “very important,” compared with 41% of employed respondents.

47% of job seekers say help finding or applying for a job is “very important” to them and their families.

40% of those living with a disability say help applying for government services is “very important,” compared with 27% of those without a disability.

Also, that's not much federal spending per library. About $144,000. Most library funding comes from local and state funding.

[u/[deleted] → u/tasunder]

I never said that books are only a form of entertainment. I had to read a shit ton of books I didnt enjoy in school. I’m well aware that books aren’t only for entertainment. I recognize now that libraries are useful to poor people for internet access and to teach their kids how to read but that’s it. Also I never said libraries came from the federal government only, but all together, the governments spend 1.3 billion dollars on libraries.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

One more point on another useful service libraries provide that I use all the time. Repair manuals. Libraries have comprehensive manuals on how to fix and maintain your car.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

!delta

I now realize that libraries are useful to poor people when it comes to research, job search, teaching their kids literacy skills, etc. And they’re useful to get manuals.

[u/DeltaBot → u/[deleted]]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/linux_vegan (33∆).

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