Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
Yes, the Sumter County libraries are operated by a private company. But, why don't they have any security for the books and DVDs? I have seen people walk out with 10-15 movie DVDs. No electronic security. That is my tax money being wasted.
Sorry for being grumpy, but I don't think we need 30 more locations for free books, even if people still read them. I read books, but I buy them on my Kindle.
|
Yep. It’s our tax money — privatized — just like charter schools. They get our money and then get to have their privatized ways with it. But…….
Anyway, about the lack of security……those libraries use our tax money to operate at a profit and to make privatized decisions about the collection and to not need to provide the level of benefits for employees, etc…….
And…security systems cost a lot of money. Libraries buy for their collections usually through contracts with wholesalers. It’s probably creepily cheaper for a for-profit operation to let the collection walk. They cannot confront the thieves so they have to look the other way. If thieves thought an alarm would go off, it would help, but privatized libraries are unlikely to put in a $ecurity $ystem. Interesting that it is the DVDs that are stolen — not surprising though.
While we are talking about grumpy mornings, I must confess that I feel grumpy now because I am reminded that I have never liked the fact that libraries turned themselves into video stores years ago. But that’s just my personal grumpiness showing. It’s too late now to change that method of operation. The screeniacs rule and must be pandered to. It was a marketing thing for the public libraries way back when it all started.
I like to give away books, although I do keep some. I used to drop off my daughter’s childhood books in laundromats in hope that a little kid might find them and the parent might read to them while waiting for the washer and dryer to finish……..
(sigh) I was such an optimist in those days. Now, for so many children, screens are the infinitely patient babysitter. I have heard some young parents do some bizarro bragging about their babies’ favorite movies. Babies! All swaddled in their little pumpkin seats! Plugged in and glued to screens! (shudder, EEK!) I know parents are often very tired, but c’mon, hypnotizing a baby with a screen is nothing to brag about………
But…….I digress.
I remain,
Marian Boomerosaurus