Is it about time we got rid of Public Libraries to save on council tax payers money?

Question

I pay well over £1500 a year council tax towards a few things that I never need, one is the public library, since the invention of "The Internet" I have a library in my own home. Therefore the Library has no further use to me.

I realise some people do not have the internet and use the library for reading fiction etc (OAP's) but then in the next few years they will all have to buy a digital TV whether they like it or not so why not make it compulsory that those NEEDING the library should invest in a small PC and maybe they will learn something instead of reading Mills & Boon till the grim reaper comes along.

Answer 1

I couldn't agree more, I'm sick of paying for outdated systems that people like us never need.

I also get your point about OAP's having to buy Digital TV's whether they like it or not in a year or two, probably the rest f your answerers are SO into reading library books they are unaware of what's going on in the real world.

Very good question

Answer 2

No what needs to be got rid of to save on Council Tax payers money is not libraries but Local Authorities ( be there County Councils, Borough Councils, Parish Councils or whatever other fancy name they currently call themselves)

Their staff seem to devote the few hours they work to nothing but mischief making and messing up everybody's life, wishes and interests with mostly pointless bureaucracy The few necessary things residents do need locally like fire brigades, police, waste disposal and libraries can either be transferred to central government or privatised so they thereafter run efficiently and the totally useless bureaucrats like Planning & Enforcement Dept abolished totally. The enormous overpopulated luxury buildings like Town Halls and County Halls can be taken over by Salvation Army as places for the homeless to live in.once the useless twerps currently therein have been made to find a proper job where they actually do something necessary and useful to mankind instead!.

Answer 3

Oh My God, you may be one of those older people one day. I can tell you now that I use the library to encourage my kids to like books, there are loads of facilities there - all about books and reading. Staring at a screen is no compromise for reading and imagiging yourself as one of the Secret Seven or possibly the Famous Five. I am shocked (OK so I am biased towards Enids books), but I hope that my children share my love of reading which can NOT EVER BE REPLACED by a reading from a PC. I cherished the books I read so much and still get so much pleasure from reading. After all I am still posting on here even though I have been reading on the train (commuter) for 1 hour.

Answer 4

No, I don't think we should get rid of the public library !

It gives us free access to PC's when we're out and about which is good for people who don;t have PC's but also people who do who require access throughout the day... (example I as a college student sometimes use a library PC during the day for additional research when I dont have a class)

then there is the free access to books which you can either get books for reference or even just fiction if your interested in reading !!

then although it costs a small fee you can rent DVD's/videos/games/CD's....

...It's a worthwhile service.. then think about it too it's giving people a job/career which if we lost all our libraries think of the amount of people who would lose their career ?!

also how on earth can you make it compulsory to buy a PC ?! that is crazy I know many people who don't use the PC's in libraries at all... and you mention about the OAP's using PC's in the Library... yes I think its excellent because after all they have the library staff to assist them and show them how to use it... great service ! ow would you expect elders to buy a PC and now how to do everthing themselves ?

...Basically just because the library is of no use to you does'nt mean we should get rid of it.... just because your not at school should we just get rid of them too ??

...Oh and for the record I'm not an OAP who reads mills and boons I'm an 18 year old who uses the library (occasionally) for Books (reference/fact) computers, rent CD's/dvd's...

Also think of this.. video shops are closing down... now else will we legally be able to view a film without paying full price for it when its unneccessary ??

Answer 5

What a shocking suggestion. Libraries should be preserved at all costs. The internet can never replace the pleasure of real books and my own library attracts people of all ages and particularly children. I would rather give up almost anything, in terms of what my Council Tax pays for, than the delights of my local library. I have been an avid reader all my life and love visiting my local library. I also buy books, as well as been a borrower.

Answer 6

Shame on you!!!!
There are millions of students, ordinary people who have not much extra money to spend on Internet and buying books. We have the Internet, but it can't take the place of sitting down and reading a good book..

So you think people that go to the library are just reading Mills and Boon, I have never read such drivel.. as I am sure a lot of our older people don't.

BTW they are not OAP's anymore, they are senior citizens, you are a bit of (sorry, lot of a bigot)

You know, you are living in cloud cuckoo land..

Answer 7

Not everything is on the Internet, and to pass a University course or advanced study you need to read actual books and write. Just quoting Wikipedia would ensure a complete failure for a Higher education project or written submission. If everyone did everything on PCs and didn't read or write, the skills needed for many advanced jobs wouldn't be available and the country would really suffer. I think that libraries ought to extend their facilities a lot and not just in IT, there are other skills, music, art etc. Also if the elderly don't exercise their minds they tend to go in decline earlier and caring for them costs a bomb. Kids that can't sit still and read difficult texts grow into adults that can't sit still and read difficult texts, in the future we all need higher skills. The country makes it's wealth from knowledge now. Not digging coal or weaving cloth. It needs to be supported.

"If you think education is expensive, then just try ignorance"

Answer 8

No. Books and PCs are totally different things. Its unfair to deprive those who love a good book just because you choose not to use libraries.

Besides computers are expensive and the poorest may not be able to afford them. We struggled to buy ours. Libraries in the future may concentrate less on books are more on computer and internet access for those who are unable to buy their own computer.

I love going to the library. We're skint so its an inexpensive chance to take my 10 month old out - he already has his own library card. They have a childrens' section with toys, lots of baby board books etc. He gets to play and I get to chat to other mums and take out anything I fancy reading without having to pay for it. I'd be lost without the library. And my little lad already loves looking at a board book with mum!!

Perhaps if more kids used libraries there would be less illiteracy. I mean some of my little sis in law's friends (they're 15) can barely spell. Itz al txt spk ya no wot i meen?

Answer 9

Your question seem quite moronic. Getting rid of public libraries would be very unfair on people who are not wealthy enough to have a computer. Therefore they use a library. So what makes you think you can say that!!!

Has it never occurred to you that maybe "OAP'S" would STILL like to read from a book and not watch Television.

Answer 10

I can't IMAGINE anyone making a statement this ludicrice!
There are MULTITUDES of people who cannot even feed their families,or keep a roof over their heads or a vehicle to get back and forth to work IF they are fortuate enough to be able to FIND a job. Why would you want to take away the one method of learning that some people have? I am considered a senior but am fortunate enough to own a PC but many aren't for whatever reasons. I cannot FATHOM why anyone would even consider robbing people of this opportunity for not only learning but pleasure and entertainment. Not everyone happens to be as wealthy as you are and I hope government officals never get wind of what you are suggesting or the world that is LEFT that has any worth will be totally under control of narrow minded individuals such as yourself! It is NOT ALL ABOUT YOU!