🚀 go-pugleaf

On Thu, 24 Jul 1997, George Robbins wrote:

> > > The library here has a FREE T-1 to Merit Network.  They sell Internet 
> > > connectivity, unlimited service, for $8/mo.  National, State, and Local 
> > 
> > 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..
> 
> Uh...  Says who?  A library is basically an institution for providing
> "public information resources".  Many libraries are "free" for normal
> services, being goverment/philanthropy supported, others extend some
> services on a (partial) cost-recovery basis.

And with the fast coming ubiqituousness of all things Internet, I think it
falls under the "normal services" category. 

> Having a state-operated institution provide a services on a "can't compete
> with that" basis is a "bad thing", at least in free market economy terms,
> and having some other company profit by being part of providing that service
> is extermely irritating.

Considering that it possibly my tax dollars, or in the case of the
original poster definitely his tax dollars that are going to subsidise the
competition, I believe it is a bad thing, and not something a library
should be involved in, unless they are privately funded. On the other
hand, I certainly think that having Internet access for free at a library
is perfectly reasonable. A public library IMHO should not be in the
business of "selling" information, which is what they are apparently
engaged in. My understanding was that a public library was *anyone* could
go to and have equal access to the same information, free of charge, which
does not seem to be the case. 

> PS: first thing you hit going into my local county library is the
> 	"rental book" section.  They also offer in-house internet
> 	access service, it's lame...

"Rental books" at a public library? I find that appalling. 

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Patrick Greenwell				         (800) 299-1288
			   Systems Administrator	 
	                         Namesecure		     
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