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notthebestchristian t1_j5o7i9q wrote

Reply to comment by sideways in In case the non physical job apocalypse happens, what will you guys do? by pehnsus

I guess I don’t understand at all. Is it because of book licensing? We can still provide the same service electronically with digital books, which don’t deforest. Just heating and cooling libraries is a massive and unnecessary economic and environmental cost.

Plus the physical space could be converted to house every single homeless person in the US so they can masturbate at home instead of needing to go to the library. I see nothing but wins here.

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Sad_Break_87 t1_j5p4u2x wrote

Libraries are public spaces; As well as storing books/information they serve a very useful function as a community hub for social events and act as a non-commoditised Third Place away from either work or home - important for mental health and social cohesion.

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notthebestchristian t1_j5p6hep wrote

In the hierarchy of needs you’re talking about a vanity project, not a necessity, and one that is primarily utilized by a sliver of the population.

Only 7% report going to the library weekly, 1/6 of the population never goes.

If there is a market for a “third place”, the private sector will step in (see: Starbucks). If there is demand for libraries or internet cafes the private sector will step in. There is no reason for the public to fund this particular legacy institution.

13 billion dollars per year spent on public libraries. To put that in perspective, the amount we spend on libraries is equal to the 77th largest world economy by GDP (out of 163 total).

Like I said, that funding could be put to actual good use, like housing the homeless.

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