Apparently the West Australian state government is proposing to cut funding for library books by millions of dollars a year.
Stuff like this makes me wonder if the government has a secret agenda to raise a generation of illiterate thugs. Really, I don't know how I much tighter I can clutch my handbag when I go out, without cutting off the circulation to my hands.
Our local library is a haven and a hub for the community. I am always amazed at the diversity of the people I find there: Mums and Dads, children discovering new worlds, students hammering away quietly at their studies, workers searching for a relaxing weekend read, retirees catching up on today's news ...
It goes without saying that books are the lifeblood of a library, and the collections now include growing numbers of newspapers, magazines, graphic novels, CDs and DVDs.
If the state government proceeds with this course of action, the number of library books (and all the other resources I mentioned) will dwindle, because the libraries will have less new stock to share and exchange. They will stagnate. This was the word my librarian used to predict the future of our libraries, when I asked her what she thought of the funding cuts.
Please spread the word. We readers may be quiet, but we're not pushovers.
Neil Gaiman: "Libraries are as important as anything gets."
P.S. The library doesn't stop me from buying books, it helps me to make better-informed choices about what books I purchase.
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Can't remember the last time I borrowed a library book. I don't have a library card. With a growing internet and abilities to download books, libraries are becoming harder to justify. I would be surprised if more than 5% - 10% of the population use them, and how many would keep using them if you introduced a user pay scheme? I'm not sure that the rest of society should be subsidising this service. I would be more supportive if better economies of scale were achieved by say integrating local libraries with state schools. School libraries are staffed, stocked and funded by the State, but are closed after hours, on weekends and all through the school holidays. They also have limited stock because of funding. Local councils fund local libraries with the State simply contributing for books. There would be savings to be had for State and Local Governments and library users would be better off. Jaymez
ReplyDeleteI remember being a penniless student and leaving the library with my arms full of books and a feeling of rich fullness. At that time I couldn't afford to buy books, or have an Internet plan (and judging from the number of people I see at the library borrowing books, or queuing up to use the Internet terminals at the local and state libraries, a lot of people still can't afford these things).
ReplyDeleteI own some e-books, but they still cost money, and I prefer reading a paper novel that I can take to the living room rather than being confined to a backlit computer screen.
As for integrated libraries, where would they be located? I already see many school students visiting the local library. Or would this library be located on school grounds so that adult strangers can mingle with students during school hours?
As for a user-pays scheme, now that I earn an income, I would keep using the library if such a scheme was introduced. I read four to five books a week, and it would strain my wallet and my bookshelves if I had to buy them all. I also wouldn't mind paying more for this user-pays scheme than someone who earns less.
Why shouldn't the rest of society subsidise this service that benefits so many people? One of the reasons why we have taxation is to benefit the community as a whole, so that people with more can help those who have less.
I totally agree Angie, I love going to the library and there are always heaps of people in there, you can also borrow books from throughout the state; my favourite magazine (Entertainment Weekly) has a Books Review section and I regularly write down names of new authors and novels I'm curious to check out.
ReplyDeleteYou can borrow DVDs, CDs and current magazines too, and with a generous allotment of 12 items, I sometimes don't get a chance to read/ watch/ listen to everything in the 3 week borrowing period. Thankfully, East Vic Park has a very handy electronic system that allows you to renew your items from your email. And they can tell you when your reserve for that much anticipated book (Steig Larrson was mighty popular, though I'm mainly tailing Michael Crichton, Nora Roberts, Sujata Massey and Mercedes Lackey myself).
Don't take our libraries away! The joy of reading and information (non fiction, language courses, children's reading time are also some of the boons) and the freedom and liberty to borrow (for free!) from your local community centre where people can come together is how we can continue to connect with our fellow human beings.
Online reading is handy, and libraries accoomodate this with quite a few PCs you can sign on too for timely periods, 'cos you're right, not everyone can afford to access to this at home.
Support your local library! I'd be there with placards if mine were ever threatened!