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Forbes Suggests Replacing Libraries With Amazon Stores, Librarians And Internet Respond In Best Way
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Forbes Suggests Replacing Libraries With Amazon Stores, Librarians And Internet Respond In Best Way

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In a constantly evolving world, enhanced by technology it may seem counterintuitive to say that some things should remain the same, but sorry folks newer isn’t always better. A professor of economics at LIU post in New York, Panos Mourdoukoutas, learned this the hard way. He penned an op-ed to Forbes titles “Amazon Should Replace Local Libraries to Save Taxpayers Money” and people were furious and bewildered.
His primary argument was that it would save taxpayers money while raising the stock of Amazon. Well, it didn’t take long for the internet to poke several holes in this theory, pointing out the high price of buying books vs borrowing and how libraries, in fact, return money back to the economy. Mourdoukoutas went on to say that with streaming services such as Amazon and Netflix people no longer rented DVDs (who among us is actually paying for our own Netflix account?). Lastly, the economist said that with places like Starbucks they had become obsolete as “third place” meeting spaces. Ask the manager at your local Starbs how they feel about holding a public kids puppet show at one of their booths, the answer will probably be no. Good thing there is a local library for that.
Scroll down below for people’s reactions and comments to the article and share your own thoughts!

A professor of economics at LIU Post in New York wrote a controversial article on the replaceability of libraries for Forbes

Librarians everywhere weren’t happy about it

The author tried to explain himself

But needless to say, it didn’t go well

The article has since been taken down, but people have still shared more of their opinions on the matter

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MammaG
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another privileged dude whining about others getting what he already has.

Andres Tejeda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Local libraries are essential to communities, I love our local library and go there at least a few times a month. They are essential to every community since they provide a free source information and leisure reading, plus vital computer services that would otherwise be unobtainable for low income people. I would rather have my tax dollars go to local libraries than subsidies to big corporations.

Wiggity
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I pretty much never use my town's library but there is no way I would condone de-funding it, even if it meant lowering my tax bill, for the same reason that I routinely vote in favor of improvements/upgrades to the local schools even though I don't have kids in the school system.......it benefits the entire community when its students have access to the structure, discipline and education a superior school system provides and its residents have access to a place that can provide them with a safe place to experience cultural, social and educational enlightenment. Also, if you try to close them, I will stab you in the eye with a fork.

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MammaG
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another privileged dude whining about others getting what he already has.

Andres Tejeda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Local libraries are essential to communities, I love our local library and go there at least a few times a month. They are essential to every community since they provide a free source information and leisure reading, plus vital computer services that would otherwise be unobtainable for low income people. I would rather have my tax dollars go to local libraries than subsidies to big corporations.

Wiggity
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I pretty much never use my town's library but there is no way I would condone de-funding it, even if it meant lowering my tax bill, for the same reason that I routinely vote in favor of improvements/upgrades to the local schools even though I don't have kids in the school system.......it benefits the entire community when its students have access to the structure, discipline and education a superior school system provides and its residents have access to a place that can provide them with a safe place to experience cultural, social and educational enlightenment. Also, if you try to close them, I will stab you in the eye with a fork.

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