Update: Monday, 1:23 p.m.:
The Forbes article appears to have been deleted, as the link now leads to an error message.
Original post:
A Forbes contributor wrote a short piece titled “Amazon Should Replace Local Libraries to Save Taxpayers Money,” arguing that libraries should be shuttered in return for Amazon opening bookstores in local communities. At the gist of the writer’s argument is that Starbucks has replaced libraries as a friendly place to go and read and streaming services like Amazon Prime Video have replaced video rentals, which many local libraries had provided. And then:
“Of course, there’s Amazon Books to consider. Amazon have created their own online library that has made it easy for the masses to access both physical and digital copies of books. Amazon Books is a chain of bookstores that does what Amazon originally intended to do; replace the local bookstore. It improves on the bookstore model by adding online searches and coffee shops. Amazon Go basically combines a library with a Starbucks.”
Taken together, why should taxpayers keep paying money to fund local libraries, the writer argues:
“At the core, Amazon has provided something better than a local library without the tax fees. This is why Amazon should replace local libraries. The move would save taxpayers money and enhance the stockholder value of Amazon all in one fell swoop.”
And then Twitter came to the rescue:
Seniors pay 200 or more to have someone do taxes, but the library does it for free. Free movies during the summer for kids. They make ice cream and crafts. During storms and emergencies they function as shelters. It’s almost like my tax dollars bring safety and joy to people.
— DamagedNotion (@Damagednotion) July 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/McTestaInc/status/1021320180331307008
My heart weeps for you. Also, hon, we all know abt taxes.
God damn, man, aren’t you an economist? You don’t see a place where people of all ages can acquire skills, apply for jobs, create, and access knowledge AS AN INVESTMENT?! One that could actually have economic returns?
— PrairiePhlox (@PrairiePhlox) July 22, 2018
1/ My mother was a Librarian, and you are a simpleton.
In addition to what @vernaausten and others here have perfectly stated, many books, periodicals, recordings, microfilms, etc are still not digitized.
Amazon doesn't offer local knowledge & Genealogical assistance…
— AnneTheWriter (@AnneTheWriter1) July 23, 2018
2/ Amazon also doesn't sponsor local special-interest seminars & clubs, or activities & workshops for teens & adults.
Amazon doesn't offer English-language classes & ESL groups to help immigrants better their lives.
— AnneTheWriter (@AnneTheWriter1) July 23, 2018
3/ And most importantly to every child & parent…
Amazon does not offer a hands-on experience– a treasure-trove of tactile learning, and a buffet of books, puzzles, videos, & experiences– for little kids to explore with their own hands & eyes.
— AnneTheWriter (@AnneTheWriter1) July 23, 2018
4/ Studies have shown that kids who are given lots of experiences with paper books, learn to read & develop a deeper love of reading, far more than children who are given primarily a cell phone or iPad to read on. (Ebooks tend to be ignored in favor of games.)
We NEED Libraries!
— AnneTheWriter (@AnneTheWriter1) July 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/HerPegship/status/1021197427594866689
https://twitter.com/marziah/status/1021218628773896192
https://twitter.com/kejtia/status/1021222089540423681
Libraries offer so much more than books. I haven't seen any resume workshops in book stores, or kids story time, or meetings of local clubs. Libraries aren't driven by best seller lists, they're driven by providing information to people, in many formats.
— Karen McPherson (@Not_ThatKaren) July 23, 2018
I have 4 kids. We visit the library about once a month and each kid gets to pick out 5-6 books, plus we check out audio books, not to mention what I read. At $10-$15 each, that’s over $3000 a year we save using the library. I’m ok with those taxes.
— Melissa (@bakerpartyofsix) July 23, 2018
Public libraries are this thing called the common good – we all share in paying for them so that others with less means benefit. It’s what humanity does to advance civilization. Go support your public library; shelve books, read to a child, help a senior citizen find a book.
— pammoran (@pammoran) July 23, 2018
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