Seattle Library tax
Ralph Nelson of Yakima argues that a large public library system is not essential. (Seattle Times letters, July 24 2012)
While it's true that books are sold through downloads, being able to read them depends on having internet access. If he can guarantee that every child has a computer and internet access, I'll concede the point. That isn't the case right now.
He also proposes a single central library with all books online and accessible via computer; again, he assumes that everybody has a computer and internet access.
School libraries are limited in what they offer. College libraries are not widespread enough that a parent can let a ten-year old walk to the college library and borrow a book.
Getting people to read is something that is best started early, by making books available to everybody. By raising a technological barrier to reading, we will harm the poor, locking some of them into poverty for the next generation. We can cut costs now. We will pay a greater price later.
While it's true that books are sold through downloads, being able to read them depends on having internet access. If he can guarantee that every child has a computer and internet access, I'll concede the point. That isn't the case right now.
He also proposes a single central library with all books online and accessible via computer; again, he assumes that everybody has a computer and internet access.
School libraries are limited in what they offer. College libraries are not widespread enough that a parent can let a ten-year old walk to the college library and borrow a book.
Getting people to read is something that is best started early, by making books available to everybody. By raising a technological barrier to reading, we will harm the poor, locking some of them into poverty for the next generation. We can cut costs now. We will pay a greater price later.