MY TURN | Why Do We Need Libraries?

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Are libraries really needed anymore? If they are, then why aren’t people who use them willing to pay more for that service?


I guess I don’t quite understand why the public needs so many libraries. We have libraries located in most public schools, colleges and universities. How many libraries do the public and students really need?

Most all Americans have a desktop or laptop computer. You can access websites to find almost any information needed in today’s complex world. You can also read most books (novels, mysteries) online at the college and the university websites. Computers at public libraries are a significant cost to homeowners, who are taxpayers. I feel that the very few people who use public library computers are too cheap to buy their own computers. I even know poor people who own their computers.

Now that the 2010 Kitsap Regional Library levy is over and failed miserably (56 percent to 44 percent), Director Jill Jean, library administrator, and Gail Mathison (KRL board of trustees) should lobby the new 2011 Washington State Legislature to change the state laws so libraries can charge for various services, such as computer use.

Maybe this is not the answer to the KRL money problems. If not, I would like to hear a better idea. As for myself, I would not ever vote to increase property taxes for public libraries. I pay enough now ($112 a year) for a service that I never use. In fact, I am “tapped out” on property taxes and will not support any tax increases for government public services of any type.

Rob Daugherty


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Comments » 16

PoulsboPaul writes:


You sound like you are among the 44% who wants to pay more to the KRL. Nothing is stopping you.

capsea writes:

head, find sand and bury.

blewis writes:

I donated to the libraries when the levy failed.

Calculated how much I would have paid in extra property taxes for a year and then multiplied that by 3.06, if I recall correctly, to select the donation amount. I would encourage other members of the 44% to do similar.

A little funny though since I go to the library maybe once every couple of years. It's not a service I use, but they benefit the communities they serve in a number of ways, so I don't mind chipping in a bit.

~B.Lewis ~ Kitsap Sun ~ Web Programmer

These opinions are mine and no one else's. (And my goodness do I have a lot of them.) Therefore they do not represent the views of the Kitsap Sun or it's parent company.

Sassy writes:

In a country where we take pride in being able to dream and become anything you want, the library is the greatest equalizer in society.
Everyone who enters, is entitled to use the resources that are contained, to better themselves, by education.
Not all can afford to go to school, buy books, or, for that matter "buy a computer".
If you take away the libraries, you elmiminate the equal playing field, of our society to be educated, regardless of thier economic standing.

Kissmyharrybutt writes:

Unfortunately, I used to feel the same way about the libraries, until we had kids. My wife and kids started to use it, and since then, I have started to use it. For my family, it is a great resource. I am still always leery when anyone asks for more money from us, and have voted both for and against the libraries. Still, I suppose being uninformed doesn't disqualify anyone from voting, or from getting your letters posted in the Sun for that matter.

Greg_Iverson writes:


Welcome to the Commons and thank you for your annual tax contribution.

I suggest you try using our library system either at a local branch or online at

I “go to the library” either online or in person 5 or 6 times a week.
However, like you I also wonder about its apparent mission of being all thinks to all people. I suppose one man’s entertainment is can be another’s vital education.

Years ago when VCR tapes were first offered by the library there was a 25 cent charge per tape. I thought that was a good idea because at the time I associated VCRs with trivial entertainment which I thought was nice but beyond the mission of a library. One agreement I often hear is that learning is a life time enterprise and entertainment is a way of getting kids to start the process. Perhaps the same logic applies to adults and adolescents.

Oldenough writes:

Interestingly we lost about a 500 years of progress when the Library of Alexandria was burned.
I guess a couple of showings of "The Time Machine" might be in order. Even if not used, they remain the single repository of the history and culture of the world, it achievements, it's failures. Hate to lose all that and start all over with fire and the wheel.

dbmcdaniel writes:

Mr. Daugherty, your observations do not in and of themselves constitute 'facts' - just anecdotes. If you had bothered to actually *visit* or *use* a library in the last few years, you'd see they are heavily used by a wide cross-section of our communities.
Libraries are one of the means that our free and open democracy remains that way. Why should we all have to purchase a book, magazine, or even a computer? Isn't a better use of our resources for libraries to act as distribution point for knowledge and books/magazines? Computers are very expensive, and so is access to the Internet - not everyone can afford it, and many have had to give up their access in the current economy.
Our libraries provide all of us with the means to educate and entertain ourselves, at a very reasonable cost - and thus contribute to our 'life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness'.

gbear writes:

in response to TheEQUALIZER:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

O!M!G! Having just gotten home from my weekly trip to the library, I start reading the Suns website and find you have taken a position we can completely, totally, & unequivocally agree on. (Even if it is a bit verbose). :{)

Lucifer must be looking for a jacket.

RankStranger writes:


michael#212864 writes:

The library is about the best Return on Investment of any tax dollar spent. If the populace were forced to buy every book, every magazine, every story time, every internet use at current fees, they would pay about ten times more than they do supporting the library. Where else can you get a Return on Investment like that?

And you get something from the library whether you go there or not. Your neighbor did, or the guy who fixes your toys did, and he got the information from a library. You didn't get anything from your Fire Department last year either, I hope. In fact, I hope you never need them, but they are there for you if you do.

If you will notice, more affluent communities, which are composed of a better educated populace, support and value their libraries. There's a reason. There's a cause and effect relationship. Kids who use libraries become better readers, are more literate, do better in school, get better educations, and ultimately earn better incomes which benefit their communities.

Of course, if you believe Google gives you better quality results than a librarian, there's not much that can be done for you anyway. Your attitude perpetuates ignorance and is yet another symptom of the downward spiral of our culture.

shameless writes:

The libraries are right where they should be. Minimally funded for minimal use. Expanding or doubling them will not double public use for a dwindling system being relegated as the ugly stepchild to the internet, kindle and other technology.

Hong Kong is installing a city wide system that dwarfs current wi-fi in scope, speed and capability and we all soon will be able to video conference on our iPhones or wristwatches in real time, full screen video. Kindle is already here, Goggle iBooks is basically going to be the Library of Congress online when they're done . . . so the public libraries will be relegated to a service similar to a used bookstore. We no longer have bowling alleys (without casinos), drive in theates or Pong video games either . . . times are a changin'.

Keep library funding the same, convert more to computer based services instead of buying more books and EXPECT to slowly phase them out over the coming years. They are quickly becoming irrelevant.

Having said that, I FULLY SUPPORT a single, large regional library in Silverdale to serve the entire county and would like to see all the regional branches shut down and the resources moved to a central library that could be used for significant research, as well as tied into UW Suzallo Library and Seattle Public Libraries.

Having staffed local libraries in Kingston, Hansville (Little Boston) and Poulbo when wi-fi is everywhere and Silverdale is 15 minutes a way is pretty ridiculous.

moosette writes:

Ah yes, there is nothing like a rainy weekend afternoon to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a good computer! I just love the feel, and the smell and the look of the computer screen!
Nothing like it!

Libraries are one of the most wonderful places in the world to take your children. It opens an amazingly huge world to them; not dictated to by the google search engine. I have never yet met a child who didn't love to scoot up next to an adult, turn the pages, follow along and listen to a great story. Libraries provide this for all, not just those who can afford to purchase books. As others have said what a great service to all citizens.

BremaloHunter writes:

You're right, Rob. In fact, why do we even need books at all? All the good ones have already been made into movies. Why bother with all that readin' stuff when I can just plop down on the couch and turn on the tube and turn off my brain?

Logic_Rules writes:

in response to BremaloHunter:


I hear ya,... Hey even Hitler thought burning books was a good idea... Books are here to stay for awhile. Libraries are a good thing. From a technology point of view, so was the pony express at the time. I can see where folks with computers and kindle type electronics dismiss the necessity... Like the comments regarding providing the opportunity for all though, something America is based on, so the libraries need to stay.... for now.

gordonfowlds#313919 writes:

Unlike a few of the posts here libraries are used heavily. No matter the time of day when we visit the PO Library has over a dozen people using its services and at times it is double that.

Too bad the tax did not pass. I calculated what it would be less than $40 per year. The local libraries should put out a donation jar for donations and collect 50 cents for checking out DVDs and movies.
