Has the San Jose public library spent too much on a $170-million building and not enough on books? That’s the opinion of Steven Zenith, writing in Bayosphere.
The e-book angle: The library already offers e-books. However, by reducing space needs, could more of them have helped keep down the cost of the building–a joint project with San Jose State University. Would taxpayers have then gotten more for their money, compared to pouring funds into the building? Zenith, who doesn’t broach the topic of e-books, says: “The overall materials allocation for the San Jose Public Library in FY 2004-05 and FY 2005-06 was $3,100,000.” Pathetic.
Please note that we’re actually talking about some hypotheticals. In the near term, there aren’t enough digitized titles for e- to replace p-books, and it’s simplistic to say, “Toss out all p-books.” Furthermore, I think there’ll always be a place for friendly branch libraries as glue to hold neighborhoods together. Not to mention the opportunities for face-to-face activities such as story telling. But long term, should cities invest in big, costly central library buildings like San Jose’s once enough books are online or are about to end up there?
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An excerpt from the Zenith post:
A massive concrete icon has been built in San Jose that salves the souls of those that DO NOT READ BOOKS. Or they simply NEVER USE A LIBRARY because either the scope of their reading is so limited that any book they would read is available and onsale at BORDERS, or they are sufficiently wealthy and patient that they can buy any book that they need and pay to express ship.
The evidence of this is that NO COMMITMENT what-so-ever has been made by the City or the University to establish a collection of works that might mirror the political excellence of the architectural marvel that now graces the city. These numbers barely maintain the already deplorable standard.
If the answer is that neither the City or the University now have any money because someone did not think that they might actually want to put books into this expensive and beautiful building – then how is it in Silicon Valley that some lucky Yahoo or Adobe megamuck teenager that has made many millions by being here has not stepped up to accept the costs?
Mind you, it is a nice place to sit – but would it not have been better to simply clear the ground for a park and instead BUY A SERIOUS COLLECTION OF BOOKS for the students and people of San Jose!
Related: Librarians who read–and don’t in Maud Newton‘s blog.
Libraries are evolving into places far beyond mere book repositories. On any rainy Sunday afternoon I invite you to the stunning new public library building here in Seattle.
Enter the huge airy atrium “Living Room” space just off 5th Avenue. You will see folks playing chess, teens reading “graphic novels”. Some people are watching dvd’s on laptops (wireless internet is free btw, as is electricity with plugs for your computer) while budding local authors are busily tapping out the next great American novel. There is (of course) a great espresso stand and cafe seating right in the atrium. Small groups collaborate in meeting and study rooms. Hi techies read Wired magazine next to street folks flipping through the Seattle Times. Banks of computer terminals in the “Mixing Chamber” – (kind of a reference area) are suprisingly full with people researching everything from geneology to income taxes. Oh, and we do have floors of books too! 🙂 I visit often and every time, I get inspired.
This is our information commons, one of the few (only?) places we really can *all* meet casually as a community. Yes, the Rem Koolhaas design building cost big $$$ – and yes, the same questions were asked here … and still being asked actually.
Beyond paper books, good libraries are *places*: level, collaborative information spaces, vital to a democracy. To me, that is priceless.