Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#1

Post by Tomte » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:09 PM UTC

Against Little Free Libraries (2017)
citylab.com

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#2

Post by hiei » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:45 PM UTC

Look I don't use the actual library as much as I want to (Seattle). When I was job hunting it was one of the last places I went to to be productive. The open hours are abysmal,(10AM-6PM) was a common one. That being said I have found use in these tiny libraries just knowing I might pick up something interesting - and I try to return or find another spot to donate a book of my own. It's not like they're stealing funding from the city? Virtue signaling? Wealthy neighborhoods? Some people just like books and want to give back.

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#3

Post by jpm_sd » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:48 PM UTC

I live in a relatively wealthy neighborhood (Alameda, CA) next to a relatively poor neighborhood (Oakland). Lots of LFLs around. Recently we've had an issue with people raiding the LFLs - taking all the books at once. When confronted, one of these raiders admitted that she was taking all the free books in order to sell them to the nearest used bookstore for a quick bit of cash.

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#4

Post by ocschwar » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:53 PM UTC

jpm_sd wrote: post #3

I live in a relatively wealthy neighborhood (Alameda, CA) next to a relatively poor neighborhood (Oakland). Lots of LFLs around. Recently we've had an issue with people raiding the LFLs - taking all the books at once. When confronted, one of these raiders admitted that she was taking all the free books in order to sell them to the nearest used bookstore for a quick bit of cash.

I'm okay with it, personally. The LFLs in my area tend to fill up and stay full with books that nobody picks up, and which tell a lot more about the neighbors than the neighbors intend to tell about themselves.

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#5

Post by Tomte » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:53 PM UTC

hiei wrote: post #2

Look I don't use the actual library as much as I want to (Seattle). When I was job hunting it was one of the last places I went to to be productive. The open hours are abysmal,(10AM-6PM) was a common one. That being said I have found use in these tiny libraries just knowing I might pick up something interesting - and I try to return or find another spot to donate a book of my own. It's not like they're stealing fundi…

I agree. There's no reason why a LFL would affect the public library negatively.

Nobody will cut funding for public libraries, because "we have a LFL now".

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#6

Post by toast0 » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:55 PM UTC

jpm_sd wrote: post #3

I live in a relatively wealthy neighborhood (Alameda, CA) next to a relatively poor neighborhood (Oakland). Lots of LFLs around. Recently we've had an issue with people raiding the LFLs - taking all the books at once. When confronted, one of these raiders admitted that she was taking all the free books in order to sell them to the nearest used bookstore for a quick bit of cash.

My wife put up a LFL in front of our house and this would have been great. We put a sign up asking for books when we started, and we got so many --- it really wasn't a big deal if people took the books.

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#7

Post by Causality1 » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:55 PM UTC

"Little Free Libraries predominantly appear in medium- to high-income neighborhoods" Because they don't want them vandalized or raided.

"registration fee of $40 to use the Little Free Library name." OK, legit criticism. The idea you can trademark a phrase as generic and descriptive as "Little Free library" is bullshit.

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#8

Post by wool_gather » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:56 PM UTC

jpm_sd wrote: post #3

I live in a relatively wealthy neighborhood (Alameda, CA) next to a relatively poor neighborhood (Oakland). Lots of LFLs around. Recently we've had an issue with people raiding the LFLs - taking all the books at once. When confronted, one of these raiders admitted that she was taking all the free books in order to sell them to the nearest used bookstore for a quick bit of cash.

Apparently some LFL owners mark the books in their box (with a stamp) in an attempt to prevent this. I've seen signs on a few to that effect. No idea whether it works.

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#9

Post by jasaloo » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 3:57 PM UTC

Bingo:

"'We submit that these data reinforce the notion that [Little Free Libraries] are examples of performative community enhancement, driven more so by the desire to showcase one’s passion for books and education than a genuine desire to help the community in a meaningful way.

[ . . . ]

[Little Free Libraries] are a highly visible form of self-gratification cleverly disguised as book aid, and the effects of this visibility can be better understood through a consideration of their role in a landscape . . .'"

Re: Against Little Free Libraries (2017)

#10

Post by hprotagonist » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 4:00 PM UTC

Tomte wrote: post #5

hiei wrote: post #2

Look I don't use the actual library as much as I want to (Seattle). When I was job hunting it was one of the last places I went to to be productive. The open hours are abysmal,(10AM-6PM) was a common one. That being said I have found use in these tiny libraries just knowing I might pick up something interesting - and I try to return or find another spot to donate a book of my own. It's not like they're stealing fundi…

I agree. There's no reason why a LFL would affect the public library negatively. Nobody will cut funding for public libraries, because "we have a LFL now".

Want to bet? Library budgets are on the front lines, and have been for decades.