Across the digital divide.

[seanan_mcguire]

Let's talk about poverty

Comments

[vidensadastra]

As a public librarian in a rust belt city, let me just say: Amen.

[seanan_mcguire]

Thank you.

[chicating]

This.
(I can't afford an e-reader now, but I have enough family support that I can think "Maybe at Christmas," instead of "Never,")
But I'm very biased in favor of the library discard hardback, the discount paperback, and the fact that I've known how to use them for, like, thirty years already.

[aircrash]

thank you for writing & posting this. i can't even articulate how much it means to me.

[seanan_mcguire]

I am glad to have said it right.

[aircrash]

&hearts &hearts &hearts !!!

[drivingblind]

I'm glad to be able to read it, understand it, and share it. Thankfully I haven't known poverty myself, but your words put me right there. That's *so* valuable for getting people to really understand the perspective.

[missyjack]

I couldn't agree more. As much as I love my e-books I hate that I can't finish reading one and then donate it or pass it on. In my city I have donated my hard copy books to a project called the Footpath Library which specifically collects and distributes books to the homeless and other disadvantaged people. As someone who's found escape and solace and insight in reading, I hate to think that this would become less accessible than it already is.

[seanan_mcguire]

It scares me. A lot.

[dragonsally]

"I couldn't agree more. As much as I love my e-books I hate that I can't finish reading one and then donate it or pass it on."
Me too. I got a Kindle for Christmas, and I adore it, because I am one of those people with disabilities for whom it is a godsend but I really hate that I can't lend and pass on books. And if I really love a book, I'll buy a paper copy anyway, because I want the tangible book in my hand.
I also really worry about power failures, tech failures and losing my whole library.

[tarsa]

I also really worry about power failures, tech failures and losing my whole library.

This! And even more, how will we explain to our children (or kids of choice) the complete satisfaction of riffling through pages just to catch that lovely ink/paper smell of a physical book?

I want an e~reader when it can be afforded, but I will always have paper books.

[ktsparrow]

Interesting. I agree. But I think libraries in urban places are a safer bet for access to books than used book stores, though not true for rural and small towns. Even diminished, there's a lot of infrastructure and funding for libraries that makes it buffered against market capitalism in a way a small book store isn't. The other thing about 'print is dead' is, well, that's not how technologies often work. Sure, TV usurped radio in a huge way, but there's still radio. As long as there are places where ereaders are not easily accessible by all, and realistically, that's a lot of the world for a long time to come, then there will still be markets for print.

[seanan_mcguire]

I also think really urban areas are going to get to full internet accessibility a lot faster as the free wifi spreads. Right now, you may have to buy a cup of coffee. In five years, maybe not.

[ktsparrow]

Yep, for sure. Though my lens and what I know the most is West Coast and East Coast cities in the U.S.. Not sure how such things are playing elsewhere.

[dewline]

Library branches throughout Ottawa, Canada are doing this for their member/user base already. We also have a community-access wi-fi network slowly assembling itself.

[ceitfianna]

Yes, I tend to yell at people when they talk about the death of print.

I want to be a youth librarian because I want my library to be the kind of wonderful place it was for me. Thank you once again for saying so well what needs to be said.

[seanan_mcguire]

You will be an AWESOME librarian.

[ceitfianna]

Thank you, that means a lot.

[seanan_mcguire]

I say it 'cause it's true.