Anti-Library Movement

[cityimrov]

I've been reading Jacksonville.com and noticed every time a budget is mentioned, there's always someone saying that libraries are useless and should be shut down or turned into a pay as you go system.  Does anyone here know more about the anti-library movement? 

[macbeth25]

No, I haven't really paid much attention to such a movement but I hope it doesn't get anywhere.  I don't visit libraries anywhere as much as I did when I was younger since I have the Internet and can find a lot of information there.  I also use Internet programs such as Audible.com and Netflix or Amazon UnBox for a lot of my entertainment.  I believe libraries are really needed, however, and there's not a much better source for information than a good librarian. You can also find much information in the way of old newspapers and magazines.   I'm afraid that if they were to be shut down, it wouldn't be very long until those that were responsible would regret it.   

[Lucasjj]

I love our library system. I only started using it in the last 6 months, but I am in there several times a week. My work happens to be right near one so I usually spend my lunch hour reading. The on-line access to their system and hold function makes it so easy to find and check out what you want. I was really impressed with the amount of DVDs they carry. If you can wait a week to get something, you can find about anything you search for, if it is not at the branch you visit.

[hooplady]

I haven't seen many useful discussions on Jacksonville.com.  In general I'd say that few of the folks who post there have ever seen the inside a library - or a book, for that matter.

I agree with Lucasjj...our library's online system is awesome.

[KenFSU]

There are so many socioeconomic factors that make public libraries an absolute necessity to the community. Pay-as-you-go is ridiculous, as it asserts that only those of economic means should be able to access the wealth of knowledge inside city libraries. Kind of defeats a major purpose of the library system.

[JMac]

Is there an anti-library movement?  If not, I'd like to start one.  We've got a multi-million dollar homeless docking station smack in the middle of downtown.  We'd be better served with that property on the tax rolls.  Wouldn't it make a beautiful Macy's?  Also, the Times Union would appreciate it if you bought your own newspaper instead of reading it for free at the library, you cheap bastards.

[I-10east]

Oh yeah, lets transform our city's Main Library to an overrated department store; That makes perfect sense. You're clearly an elitist, who looks down on unfortunate people.

[copperfiend]

I've been reading Jacksonville.com and noticed every time a budget is mentioned, there's always someone saying that libraries are useless and should be shut down or turned into a pay as you go system.  Does anyone here know more about the anti-library movement? 

There isn't discussion on jacksonville.com so much as there is verbal diarrhea. The posters on that site have probably never been to a library.

[JMac]

Yes, I believe it would make sense to transform the Main Library into an overrated department store  .  A department store would attract shoppers instead of homeless. Children who needs books would still be able to still go to other library branches, or their school libraries.  The bums may have to move on to some other city that has a nice place to wash up and hang out all day.

[Lucasjj]

Although I don't support ridding our downtown of a library, I wish more was done to curb the homeless' use of the bathrooms as showers. I think if a revitalized downtown is the goal, an attractive library is part of that. However, I am deterred from visiting the main street library due to the prevalence of the homeless that use it as a shower and a place to cool off.

[johnsantangelo]

It's just part of a larger anti-intellectualism movement. It's pretty wide-spread around these parts.

[Dog Walker]

The downtown library is heavily used everyday and not just by the homeless.  Yes, they are there and there should be something done about them, but most of the users of the library are just like all of us.  Go there on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and there are an overwhelming number of parents bringing their children.  Can you think of a better family activity than to introduce children to reading and the library.

Public libraries, like public schools, are the great democratizers in  America.  Generations of people have gone from poverty to riches based on self-education in the public libraries.

Go downtown and spend a couple of hours in the library.  You will see an absolute cross section of the people of this city there.

[BridgeTroll]

I enjoy the downtown library though I do not visit as often as I would like.  Yes there are homeless folks roaming but never once have I been interrupted or disrupted from doing what I wanted to do.  If a few of them pick up a book or find a job while surfing the net then perhaps it is not such a bad thing...

[vicupstate]

Is there an anti-library movement?  If not, I'd like to start one.  We've got a multi-million dollar homeless docking station smack in the middle of downtown.  We'd be better served with that property on the tax rolls.  Wouldn't it make a beautiful Macy's?  Also, the Times Union would appreciate it if you bought your own newspaper instead of reading it for free at the library, you cheap bastards.

Ah, another person who knows the cost of everything, and the value of nothing.

Secondly, I'm sure Macy's has no desire to open in DT Jax, or else it would make moves in that direction.     

[Charles Hunter]

I enjoy the downtown library though I do not visit as often as I would like.  Yes there are homeless folks roaming but never once have I been interrupted or disrupted from doing what I wanted to do.  If a few of them pick up a book or find a job while surfing the net then perhaps it is not such a bad thing...

Well, BridgeTroll, if you look anything like your avatar, its no wonder they don't bother you!