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Leroy M Martinez of Denver writes:

Can anyone tell me why Denver is asking for $51.9 million dollars to build three new libraries and meet maintenance needs like boiler and air conditioning and bad roofs when they are reducing the hours of the libraries now due to not enough monies in their budget?

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS

Keith is going to be devastated that his hours of surfing porn are being cut! Shame on the DPL!

WHAT FEWER HOURS TO SURF PORN? come on hick get out there and raise taxes quick.

Honest question and soliciting opinions from the masses...

Do we really need the traditional library anymore? With the technological advances for research through on-line sources, netflix for movies, and copious bookstores that not only invite "lounging" but encourage it, is it fiscally responsible to invest that much money, in an antiquated system?

Now, I understand that there are still people who will check out a book, for the simple pleasure of reading it. And I am fine with that completely. I am wondering about the percentage of the population that utilizes this resource, and if it indeed makes sense to spend over $50 million. Even if every single person in the city of Denver utilized the library on a biweekly basis, that is still $288,410.72 per person, biweekly.

What do you think?

To answer your question, Dan2, yes we do need traditional libraries. For a variety of reasons.

Book stores encouraging lounging, but I'll bet they'd protest a little bit if you used their merchandise for research, especially if you have no intention of purchasing anything.

Many people use the libraries for Internet access because they can't afford to have it at home.

And research out of "real" books is still important, since 90% of what you find on the Internet is pure bilge, and the other 10% is highly suspect.

No doubt there are ways to make libraries more economic, but they definitely need to remain open.

Thanks Emily, for your response!

I don't know about your 90% and 10% quotes though. I use Findlaw quite a bit, Cornell Law online library even more often, and all print media is now on-line, as are all the Supreme Court rulings, and most referenced material can be sourced on line.

I guess one follow up question is just how many people are using free internet access, and how long should we, as tax payers, be expected to provide a free service that the rest of us pay for?

I pulled the 90/10 figure out of my hat.

Even so, I wouldn't dream of trusting any Internet source unless I knew for a fact that it was from a legitimate (i.e., print) source. Not that all print sources are legitimate, either! But I do believe it's harder to distinguish the good stuff from the rubbish online.

And of all the things taxpayers shell out for, free Internet access at the library is pretty low on the list of things I object to.

Leroy , you have too much time on your hand.

Dan2, actually the total dollars amount to:

$50 million in library bonds
divided by 575,000 people

equals roughly $90/person for the full amount, not including interest. Biweekly, even over only a YEAR, that equals about $4/person.

I assume you just pulled some number out of your ass, but there are some real numbers...

I don't use libraries today. It's too easy to borrow books. Plus, I only went there to look at the beautiful girls in their mini-skirts. Oh yes, and I studied too, in my spare time. Whoops! Gave away my age.

How can you cuddle up with a good mystery on a cold night, if there aren`t any libraries?

Don`t forget the novels and the reference books.

Thanks for the help Aaron. My numbers, did indeed, SUCK!

Sharon B.

Good point, but you could always BUY THE BOOK.

Who wants to cuddle up with a reference book?

Mr.Martinez asks ” Can anyone tell me why …”

Have you asked the library management Leroy?
After all, they might be able to answer you, being as how they deal with the budgets, library locations, and so on.

Dan2 pondered ” Do we really need the traditional library anymore?”
To add to what Emily said, here are some additional considerations.

The “visible web” constitutes a very small fraction of the actual online resources and many of those resources are available through the library. The average Joe can access GaleNet, EBSCO, Emerald, and many other “invisible” online resources without having to subscribe - by simply belonging to the library.
Secondly, many books, journals, and texts, and not available online, but may be found at or requested through your library, even if the physical item is housed in a library far away. (I often get very obscure texts from out of state).
Barnes & Noble may stock many books, but their prime consideration is the profitability of handling the item, not in how many people might use it, or how important the text might be.
Thirdly, I can obtain a text through the library that would be far beyond my ability to purchase – some reference books or texts would cost several hundreds of even thousands of dollars to buy, but are available to me through the library at no additional fee.

The library also offers me journals that are useful but which I only occasionally need, and thus I don’t need to subscribe to dozens of scientific, medical, and technological journals.

Finally, the library gives me access to research assistants and librarians whose training and experience are invaluable magnifiers in locating information. Whilst B&N’s staff are very helpful, they are no patch on an experienced librarian in locating out of print, current, and even future texts.

The US has perhaps the best library system in the world, don’t go stuffing it up please!

” Who wants to cuddle up with a reference book?”

I do.

There is something very satisfying about gaining insight, and getting a copy of an early edition of Grey’s Anatomy or Dorland’s,
However, there are many out of print novels and such that you might prefer, and discover are not easily available at the bookstore, or not at a price you would be prepared to pay.
Some of those novels still in circulation at the library are now collector’s items.
The library will also stock items that commercial outlets find a little too politically “hot”.

Ask your librarian to tell you more.

Even though we live in an Internet age,it is still nice to curl up with a book and read.

Also libraries give children a place to get books to read.Buying books can be expensive if you have children reading at high levels.

As far as research, The Library of Congress is a wonderful place to go on-line and read or find just about anything.

I have personally been there and I was in awe of the greatness of the greatest library ever.

Oh hey Ms.Amen.

Are you ready to take the bargain I offered you on waterboarding?
The deal still stands.

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