On July 21, 2018, economics professor Panos Mourdoukoutas wrote an article in Forbes suggesting that Amazon should replace libraries to save taxpayers money. I, like a vast majority of people within and outside of the profession found the idea poorly thought out and needlessly inflammatory. It would appear that little actual research went into the article (some good data on the economic impact of libraries is available here).
Taking to social media to voice my opinion, I found Library Twitter once again up to the task.
It’s the digital divide, stupid:
You assume everyone has a computer and internet access which isn't true. The digital divide still exists. It's unlikely that Amazon will help people with their reference inquiries or evaluating which sources are creditable and which are not.
— Katrina Zwaaf (@KZwaaf) July 22, 2018
What about early literacy?
https://twitter.com/MagpieLibrarian/status/1021023342671859712
What about research?
Exactly how is Amazon going to help me navigate the various paid databases that I access through my public library? Is the clerk going to help me track down an obscure reference for my research? Is the store going to help preserve records of my community?
— Amy Johnson Crow 🌳🧬 (@AmyJohnsonCrow) July 22, 2018
Libraries. Are. More. Than. Books.
https://twitter.com/lyndztanica/status/1020717908131917825
https://twitter.com/JeanniInABottle/status/1021019190403223552
My library helps people navigate the healthcare open enrollment. For free. Also, cooking classes that teach nutrition, story hour for children, homework help for kids and teens. For free.
— katherine fritz (@katherinefritz1) July 22, 2018
Economics 101:
Cost to individually buy the six books I have on hold this week: $70
Amount the Altadena Library Special Parcel Tax cost me this week: 75¢
Someone help me budget this, I'm not the chair of an economics department.
— Gwen C. Katz (@gwenckatz) July 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/KendraWrites/status/1021046543787413510
https://twitter.com/efilgo/status/1021004093299490817
You think Amazon would open a bookstore in a community of less than 20,000 people?
— wbelanger (@elpulpopacifico) July 22, 2018
Sources, please:
You state things like (and I paraphrase) “people use their Starbucks card more than their library card” without citing sources or data. Your argument is thin and specious, and I do think you know it.
— Nick Kolakowski (@nkolakowski) July 22, 2018
Ever heard of fake news?
My dude, as fake news & poor information literacy combine to erode our democracy, libraries remain a vital institution. Let's not outsource an essential public good.
— Nick Tanzi (@Techie_Lib) July 22, 2018
Congrats to the professor on reminding everyone of the essential, irreplaceable role libraries play in society!