It is estimated that one out of two children will own a laptop by the age of 10, within the next few years. Some states issue each kindergartner a tablet for doing their work and classroom activities. WiFi is becoming increasingly free at many local establishments and more technological advances have been made for computer wi-fi features.
With cellphones able to Google and allow research opportunities, and most people owning at least one cell phone in their household, how important are public libraries? Research shows that libraries, once thriving as the only place for scholarly activity, is now a dinosaur. Many colleges are discontinuing library degrees and many patrons visit less that twice a year.
So while the tax payers of Bolinbrook will spend years paying for that (over) $50K library, will they see it as a place to visit?
We polled over 100 local patrons at a grocery store. Only one has visited the new library. Yet all of them are paying dearly for it. Is there an option? Is there an alternative to use this building as something else? Sure there is! Sell the building to a local college branch or to private industry. Use that money to open a satellite library. Since most people can rent books online now, through their Nook or Kindle, doesn't keeping so many books in stock seem silly? Where were these decisions coming from over the last two years? Who thought about all this when they spent that money?
What do you think as a resident paying taxes for a huge building?
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