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mek.fyi | The uncertain future of american libraries

mek.fyi · 1,114 words · saved by 1 readers

Brick and mortar libraries provide a lot of value beyond serving as a home for books. They host programs, enable internet access, and connect patrons with an array of essential services. But I want to talk about books for a moment, because the future of this fundamental service is at risk. There are some things worth knowing about libraries: 1. ~1793, the American public lending library concept was innovated by Benjamin Franklin in 1973 via the Library Company of Philadelphia. 2. Libraries work because of this policy 17 U.S.C. § 109(a) called the "First Sale Doctrine" (right of first sale) which, "gives the owners of copyrighted works the rights to sell, lend, or share their copies without having to obtain permission or pay fees". Libraries buy books or receive donations and then lend these books to patrons. https://libguides.ala.org/copyright/firstsale. 3. ~1900 Andrew Carnegie helped fund 2,500 libraries according to brilliant "Carnegie formula" which (as prerequisite funding) requir

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