These annoying editorials really get my blood boiling.My poor in-laws had to hear a five-minute rant from me about this inane letter written to the Ann Arbor News. The writer is responding to a talk at an Ann Arbor, MI Kiwanis event, where a former University of Michigan president was fielding questions from the audience about how important the computer revolution was in the context of human history. The letter writer was an audience member that day and shared this revelatory observation:
"...in the past decade, in which the computer has become part of nearly everyone's home and business. I confess I have not entered a local library this year because my inquisitiveness and reading enjoyment are satisfied online.
And, friends, I shudder in this context when I think about the millions of dollars consumed by our public library system, especially locally in building new, large neighborhood libraries and with plans going forward to expand the main library downtown."
Wow, I am stunned by your brilliant insights, Mr. Letter Writer. I can't believe no one else has thought of this idea to save millions of taxpayer dollars for the Ann Arbor community. If only the people-in-charge would listen to you.
But seriously, this 'insight' is shared by lots of people in communities all over the country and is disturbing, because it means there is still a part of each community who are not using and don't understand the fundamental premise of public libraries. And I take back the facetious comment that the people-in-charge should listen to this writer. I think library directors and library boards already hear enough of this kind of thinking.
My problem with this writer is the idea that since he enjoys reading online, everyone else should or does, too. This is a wrongheaded and seriously, elitist, idea. There is something called the digital divide, and it is a huge impediment to millions of people who don't have access to, or money for, computers and technology.Public libraries fill that void.They are created for the public good, to improve the intellectual and educational needs of people who normally wouldn't have access to all the ideas and books which people like Mr. Letter Writer takes for granted.In his blithe dismissal of millions of people, he really shows what ignorance looks like.
