Re: [Mpls] Amazon.com - almost any book in 2 days for 2 bucks - delivered!

[WizardMarks]

Libraries are more than "I order a used book." Of all the institutions 
of a modern civilization, libraries are the most democratic. They hold 
keys to the history of this place and that place; this way humans have 
behaved, that way that humans have behaved. Libraries hold the 
manuscripts to our public documents. We hold them jointly so that they 
do not accidentally get destroyed. The advance from repository of 
civilization to repository that the whole population can make use of to 
better their situations is essential to keeping the tools of democratic 
life within reach for everyone. It is not only about individual 
endeavor, but about keeping the records of human endeavor. Buying and 
selling books is not available to children, nor to those who have fewer 
resources than you may have.

This is a time not to panic. We are too invested in this building of a 
new library to back out at this juncture. That it may not have been the 
best idea can also be true. What the voters signed on for was a new 
downtown library and $30 million in bricks and mortar improvements in 
the community libraries.

If we do not panic, we can think this through to the consequences if the 
city council were not to issue the bonds. One consequence has to be that 
it will be much more expensive to have the library stay in the 
"temporary" building which was not designed to hold the weight of books. 
There are consequences to holding so much of the collection out of reach 
for the duration of building. What happens if that time line is 
lengthened. We could do irreparable harm to the Mpls. Public Library if 
we are not very careful.

WizardMarks, Central

Victoria Heller wrote:

I order USED books through Amazon all the time.  When I'm done with them, I
simply list them for sale again.
I get an e-mail notification when someone wants the book (buyer pays the
postage.)  All I do is slip it in a mailer and drop it off in a mailbox.
Amazon does all of the bookkeeping and sends a check each month for the
books I've sold, plus postage.
This is the way of the future - technology improving efficiency and
reducing costs.
Related note:  Xerox now makes printers that will actually bind hard cover
books - one at a time.  It won't be long before you will be able to
download a book and bind it yourself - in your living room.
Vicky Heller
Cedar-Riverside and North Oaks
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