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Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

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Re: Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

#201

Post by chickenfries »

conductr wrote: post #57
chickenfries wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Visit a library in a low-income area (where people need them the most) and see the kinds of computers people use to hunt for jobs, do their homework, etc. I've been to a library that was running windows 2000 on TWO ancient Dells with with CRT monitors in 2015. And the two computers they had were being used by adults and students. There is so much to be gained from improving libraries.

This makes me think a recycle/reuse program should exist. "Our" old hardware is newer/better than what they have. I know this program probably does exists but I usually assume they are just breaking my device apart and pulling out gold/metals. If I knew the library needed a gently used device, I'd have no problem giving them my old stuff.

Yeah, I have about 75% of a computer from upgrading mine overtime. Waiting until I have more parts to buy a case to put it in and then donate it to a library or school or something. All of my parts are in good condition and from the last 10 years, I would hate to see them stripped for metals.

Re: Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

#202

Post by jjjasfdj88 »

graphitezepp wrote: post #15

I would much rather billionaire types take on large issues that governments don't want to touch, like space flight or specific diseases in foreign countries, than something already in service like libraries. Maybe I just have a bias due to having a library just up the street from where I live currently, but I have never not had access to an adequate library in my life time, and only see room for marginal diminishing…

> ...something already in service like libraries.

Something that can be used by new generations to learn about and continue on with space flight, diseases...

I mean honestly, does anyone here really believe humans will be interplanetary? If so it's definitely not going to be in our life times.

I'd rather Bezos put his money into the things that help humans now rather than these nerdy-gasm fantasies formed in childhood watching Star Trek. I say that as a huge Star Trek nerd.

Libraries and access to knowledge will go further to making a society look like Star Trek than rocket ships. At least in the sense Roddenberry hoped to capture; equal outcomes for all races/genders.

Re: Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

#203

Post by sol_remmy »

goialoq wrote: post #127
sol_remmy wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Counterpoint: My friends all went through mechanical engineering WITHOUT reading textbooks - that was the secret to their success. No one is going to touch the textbooks in a library.

How did MechE's succeed before the Internet?

Haha - my friends dad also did MechE in the 80s. He says MechE students now are responsible for learning much more material.

I'd say the internet has allowed more material to be taught in four years.

Re: Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

#204

Post by chickenfries »

randyrand wrote: post #114
chickenfries wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Visit a library in a low-income area (where people need them the most) and see the kinds of computers people use to hunt for jobs, do their homework, etc. I've been to a library that was running windows 2000 on TWO ancient Dells with with CRT monitors in 2015. And the two computers they had were being used by adults and students. There is so much to be gained from improving libraries.

> where people need them the most On the contrary, even the poor have their own computers and smartphones these days and these libraries don't see much sense in upgrading their rarely used computers.

If you're poor, you might have a limited data plan. In which case, you probably make use of public WiFi all the time to reduce your usage of your limited data plan, which should be reserved for when you need it on the side of the road or when you're running late to a job interview.

Using an old android device to browse the internet is browsing as a second-class citizen. When I job hunt, I open many documents, hundreds of tabs, visit hundreds of websites... all of this would be greatly hindered by a mobile device.

Have you been to a low income library where people are not using the computers? My previous neighborhood's library computers were being used almost all the time when I went there.

> even the poor have their own computers and smartphones these days

I'm curious what you've read that informs this opinion. The digital divide still exists, especially in rural areas but in general across socioeconomic class.

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/blog/2016/state-urbanrural-digital-...

Re: Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

#206

Post by WalterBright »

KGIII wrote: post #115
conductr wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This makes me think a recycle/reuse program should exist. "Our" old hardware is newer/better than what they have. I know this program probably does exists but I usually assume they are just breaking my device apart and pulling out gold/metals. If I knew the library needed a gently used device, I'd have no problem giving them my old stuff.

The best thing you can do is ask your librarian. Libraries are often poorly funded, very much so in rural areas. They are often partially funded with donations. Somebody was willing to step up and rehab a local library. Had they not done so, it would have been forced to close. It is staffed entirely by volunteers. The town can barely afford to budget the heat. Fortunately, the same person now donates regularly and th…

Around here, the library buildings are new, large, modern, and spacious. Those buildings were expensive to construct.

They lack books, though. The shelves are low, widely spaced, and don't occupy much of the floor space.

http://www.buildingwork.design/projects/kenmore-library/

I've long since given up even looking for books there. I just go buy them.

Contrast this with Half Price Books:

http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/image.aspx?f=1&guid=ae61a8...

It's crammed with books. (The picture barely does that justice.)

Re: Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

#208

Post by WalterBright »

cratermoon wrote: post #158
tertius wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How about reducing their size, removing redundant jobs, reducing regulation that does harm, cutting costs...

You mean like we've been doing since the Reagan administration? How's that been working for citizens?

Do you really believe that there are less regulations, is smaller government, fewer government jobs, etc., today than in the 80's?

Re: Bezos should put his billions in public libraries

#209

Post by specialist »

ABCLAW wrote: post #181
SJWDisagree111 wrote: post #174

I'm guessing most of the people here have not been to a local public library in a long time. They have basically become daytime homeless shelters. That is the reason they are no longer attractive for philanthropists.

Perhaps the libraries in your community share this property, but they certainly don't in mine. What communities are you referencing in this comment? Mine have extensive multimedia selections available for access, music rooms with instruments for practice, 3d printers for prototyping, and a wealth of research staff who will help you find specific information that you need. All of the ones in my local area are well att…

With the deep budget cuts and transition to online (vs face to face) services, libraries have become many poor people's only access to their government.

This was widely reported in my area last time our trogs wanted to cut our library budgets (even more).

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