Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Hey, Buddy: Your Ignorance Is Showing


SPOGG loves libraries. LOVES THEM. Among other things, you can:
  • check out books;
  • research subjects of interest (for some people, ahem, we recommend books that teach the proper use of the apostrophe);
  • get FREE access to subscription services (such as the Oxford English Dictionary); 
  • borrow DVDs, CDs, and audio books; 
  • hear authors speak (we shared an elevator at the Seattle Public Library with the literary genius M.T. Anderson!);
  • catch free concerts and performances for kids; and
  • enjoy the free wi-fi and air conditioning.
Also, there already is such a thing as a fee-based library. It's called Barnes and Noble (which we also love).

We can't help but notice this disturbing trend in cities across the country in which libraries are being shut down, pecked at, and put on the chopping block to balance community budgets. 

People have no idea how much pleasure they could get and how much money they could save by making the library their first stop in entertainment. Libraries also level the playing field somewhat for the poor.

That is why we say to the creator of this sign, "You are a moron. A MORON. Perhaps if you spent more time in your library you would know there is no apostrophe in 'fees'."

What's unfortunate and telling is that the person who made this sign lacked the courage to put his or her name and contact information on it. We do understand the cowardice, though. Who's proud to celebrate ignorance? Who wants to stick it to the poor, and to families with young children who can't otherwise afford books? Jerks, that's who.

Look, we get that we're in tough economic times. But you don't cut off your feet to save money on shoes. If you have a chance this fall to vote for library funding, please do. And while you're at it, stop by your library to see what you might be missing.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes, YES!

Libraries are wonderful community resources and gathering places.

My favourite part of the post: Also, there already is such a thing as a fee-based library. It's called Barnes and Noble (which we also love).

Oh, and where you call the guy a MORON.

*snort*

Unknown said...

THANKS for the awesome post and I meant to scream THANKS!

amywatson said...

Libraries rule, ignoramuses drool.

Martha Brockenbrough said...

Thanks, Scatterbeams, Karie, and Amy. Long live libraries!

Angela said...

What is becoming a trend in some places in the midwest is that you have to pay to have a library card. When we lived in Illinois we had to pay $80/year for a family card because we lived more than 15 miles from the library. Sad...

Martha Brockenbrough said...

Angela, that's horrible. A fee that steep will knock so many families out of the library running. It's a vital shared service. Building minds is as important as building roads.

Cari said...

Great post!

@Angela and Martha - The reason those libraries have to charge for cards is because if you're out of the area, your tax dollars don't support that library. Thus, if you want a card, you need to pay. I'm sorry that's the case (and in Ohio, we're lucky because state tax dollars support our libraries, so any Ohio resident can get a library card at any library). Unfortunately, those libraries depend on those out-of-area card fees. It is very sad but necessary. Anyway, that's why you need to support your local library by voting for your local tax levies! Using your local library will help to make it great.

sxoidmal said...

I've noticed that people who lobby against or protest any form of educational program inadvertently exhibit a dire need for a bit more education in the process.

Running Chick said...

Martha - you'd probably love a sticker I have... I drive around Seattle with an "I love libraries - and I vote!" sticker in my car window. Which means you'd love my parents even more as they are the brilliant beings who got such a sticker for me and raised me with such values.

(And given the possibility that my mom is reading this comment as we both independently developed an appreciation of your writing- Hi Mom! Love! S.)

Running Chick said...

Martha - you'd probably love a sticker I have... I drive around Seattle with an "I love libraries - and I vote!" sticker in my car window. Which means you'd love my parents even more as they are the brilliant beings who got such a sticker for me and raised me with such values.

(And given the possibility that my mom is reading this comment as we both independently developed an appreciation of your writing- Hi Mom! Love! S.)