Comment on Editorial: Why spend $50 million on the “last library?” by Ron Belbin
Okay…we find common ground in the understanding that all public works projects should come under the closest of scrutiny at any time, let alone now. But surely that scrutiny should be informed. In your editorial your criticism of the proposed library relies on a broad ranging attack on libraries and librarians and is supported by allusions to the imminent death of the library, patrons who must be guaranteed the experience of turning paper pages and the suggestion that a club house in a backyard might substitute for meeting rooms. (I have already dealt with the Kindle/Google/it’s all out there anyway argument) On the basis of this, you condemn the project out of hand? You later restate your concern over who uses libraries, why they do so and how. Do you know? Do you know the answers to the who, the why and the how?
You moderate you position a little in your response to my comment…”access to such data would not NECESSARILY require a 50 million dollar building.” Do you know one way or the other? Perhaps it is time to answer those questions…with a trip to your local library. I am sure the horse shoer behind the desk will be delighted to help you!