Regarding libraries, this is such a socialist idea, that enriches society and educates the people. I wonder why no one thought to defund them, because think of the lost profits for companies like Amazon, etc. /s
And have succeeded. In the stupidest ways. I can't find the article since there are so many fucking attempts, but there was one where they got rid of the library's funding in the only public room in town big enough to hold the meeting on getting rid of the library's funding: the library's meeting room.
Does this include any "library of things?" Because at my library I can check tools, thermal image cameras, tables, board games and all sorts of other things.
Not poster but northeast US in the more populated areas seem to have better stocked libraries. Mine has music, movies, board games, and a whole bunch of random equipment for stuff like research or cooking or building. Microscopes and knitting sets and pasta makers, construction equipment etc.
I’ve been to libraries where you can borrow music CDs, movie DvDs, and even games such as Nintendo Switch cartridges. My local library does DvDs but not the other stuff.
Also a lot of libraries have other stuff you can check out! Tools, sewing machine, printer, photo scanner etc!
We scanned hundreds of old photos in minutes with the thousand dollar value equipment at our library totally for free! It was really cool! Ours has all kinds of equipment for converting old media to digital.
Plus these huge satellite maps of our city from the past, it's like a 3.5'x3ft book of aerial photos. Idk what you'd need that for, but it was fun to look through them!
It seems feasible if you don't imagine they're all big novels. A lot of nonfiction you might borrow several of in one visit and not read front to back. Think recipe books, handicrafts, anything along those lines. Could also be smaller things like children's books, poetry collections, etc., or some of the books were unusually expensive.
I literally send authors the average cost of money for their book to their patreon with notes telling them I would've paid their publisher if I could've gotten a DRM-free .epub after enjoying the copy I got on zlib.
Just got a library card a few months ago. Had one when I was a kid and forgot how great it was. Not only do you get access to a huge amount of books, music, magazines, they also have ebooks. I don't even have to leave the house to get something to read. Just download it on my epaper reader. Plus: never again late fees because the license just expires after the rental time is over.
Seems like a bad idea to point this out. You’re just giving more ammo to conservatives and media conglomerates that this hurts business and is “socialism”.
They stopped caring about money in legislation when they realized they don't need to hide their grifts anymore. As long as they keep believing the library is for WASPs we'll be fine.
Regardless they mildly bother me because they use the MSRP from when the books were new, not the actual price people pay for used books (which is what library books are).