Quote:
Originally Posted by hfx_chris
Because this is what a library is for. I can go out and buy a set of encyclopedias, I can go out and buy a book on the history of Halifax, I can also go buy the Lord of the Rings (which I just did, so that may not be a good example), but the purpose of the library has always been to bring these and other services to those who either cannot afford, or in the case of borrowed materials, people like myself who don't see the logic in buying a book that I'll read once and never touch again. However I really hope I missed your point there...otherwise the way I interpreted that it sounds like you're calling into question the entire purpose of having libraries.
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The problem is that this librarian (and others; I have known a bunch) seems to think that their role is to bring everything to everyone. No limits. That's nuts, but they really do seem to believe that. Personally, I think that nobody should have to buy a set of encyclopedias or reference volumes; libraries should have them in droves. Same way with instructional books, histories and other nonfiction, classic literature, etc. As for Stephen King or Danielle Steele, you want it, you buy it. OK, maybe the library shoud have a limited selection just for a complete view of the culture of the times. But that shouldn't be their prime business. Seems to me the library caters to a large segment who could quite easily pay for what they offer but choose not to because they are cheap or otherwise spending their money on other things. That's why you need to have carefully defined limits on what it should and should not offer.
Hypothetical: let's say that somehow this $42 million (or $60M, or whatever) project gets the green light. 18 months into it comes the inevitable reality: there isn't enough money to pay for everything. What would you do:
(a) scale back the scope of the service offering but keep the architectural quality of the building design and materials (i.e. real stone on the outside), or
(b) keep the services but let the building devolve into precast concrete panels and metal cladding.
I know what I would do, and it isn't option B.