🚀 go-pugleaf

On Thu, 24 Jul 1997, Jay Kalman wrote:

> > See this is a problem in itself. A gov't subsidized library shouldn't be
> > in the business of selling Internet service. What next, are they going to
> > start charging a monthly fee for access to books? That should be the first
> > thing that is done away with...
> 
> Well, 9 out of 10 gov't subsidized libraries charge fees.  10 of 10 if 
> you include late fees for overdue books.

Charging for an overdue book, and charging for normal access to
information are two totally different issues. If there were no overdue
charges on books, there would be no incentive to return them on time.

> Our library charges $1 to rent video movies so we can provide
> instructional videos for free.  We charge $1 an hour for use of
> typewriters and word processors.  We charge for 
> internet access.    Our own tax payers are subsidizing these.  Our 
> ELECTED board of trustees make the policies and are the ones who insist 
> on charging fees.  Should everything be free?  Then the ELECTED board 
> will have to raise taxes.  You want to do something?  Run for office.

Access to information at a library should be free, as I believe it once
was pretty much everywhere. I admit that I haven't been to a library
lately(they don't seem to have the latest O'Reilly book on anything...)
however I find the concept of charging people for access to information
disturbing. A typewriter is not information. A word processor is not
information. Video tapes can contain information. The Internet holds a
*lot* of information, and as such should be viewed just as you would a
book for the purposes of a library.

> Do video stores complain?  For that matter do book stores complain?  They 
> seem to be able to "compete" with no problem.  I got into library work 
> because I like giving something to people who can't afford it, but the 
> decisions are still made by our elected officials.

Tell you what, start offering phone service for $8 a month, and see if the
phone company complains. Start offering cable for $8 a month, and see if
the cable company complains. I am not blaiming those at work at the
libraries because they receive inadequate funding. I just don't feel that 
publicly funded libraries should be charging for access to information.
You are now creating a two-tiered system where those going to a public
institution that can afford information/education get it, and those that
can't, don't which just lends itself to the continued cycle of poverty
and ignorance among the poor. 

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Patrick Greenwell				         (800) 299-1288
			   Systems Administrator	 
	                         Namesecure		     
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