Fox News, IL: "Undercover" at the Library (this is how it starts)

[pepperbear]

http://www.urlesque.com/2010/07/06/undercover-library-fox-chicago/?icid=main|main|dl8|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.urlesque.com%2F2010%2F07%2F06%2Fundercover-library-fox-chicago%2F

Or...not, asks My Fox Chicago. Are the libraries in Illinois (799 to be exact) a waste of tax payer money? In the age of the internet, has text on paper become obsolete, leaving our libraries looking like hubs exclusively meant for blocked porn sites and falling down the YouTube rabbit hole? My Fox Chicago leans toward yes, in a oddly pessimistic, investigative story that apparently required the reporter to go undercover...like with a hidden camera, spy-style. In the library. To see what's up and stuff.

Libraries are obsolete: Fox news said so. check out what the gentleman says at 4:40...and no one bats an eye.

No kidding...they are coming after libraries now.

[blondeatlast]

1. Of ourse they are. There's scary things in libraries--like, you know,

books and magazines that aren't published by subsidiaries of Rupert Murdoch holdings.

Be afraid--be VERY aftraid.

[Tempest]

2. Universities, libraries and schools

Anything that contributes to an informed and educated public and the conservatives will be against it.

[mitchum]

3. Republicans hate libraries; they are filled with books and homeless people

[KonaKane]

4. And knowledge. Don't forget the knowledge.

That liberal stuff.

[marybourg]

5. That's nothing new. Decades ago a certain Connecticut congressman,

asked why he didn't support a certain bill to fund libraries, responded: "My constituents can afford to buy books."

[OutNow]

6. And librarians were against the Patriot Act you know

Those librarians - against the patriot Act you know. What's wrong with keeping track of what books a person reads? If he hasn't read the wrong books he has nothing to be afraid of.

And - free books is a clear example of SOCIALISM.

It was at the Dallas Public Library during Banned Book week that I heard the best anecdote. The holy rollers wanted to ban a book of sewing patterns. Why? The title of the book - "Making It With Mademoiselle".

We have the money to pay for endless wars, but not for book lending. So very sad.

[gvstn]

14. It's creepy

My library has as part of their card catalog an option called "My List" where you can save books that you are thinking about taking out to so you don't forget them. It is rather handy if you have enough to read but want to remember a title to investigate later. What is creepy is that all the librarians (in hushed tones) warn you to never use it because of the Patriot Act. I mean every librarian says the same thing when you mention that you might just save something to your "list". Just how often does the govt. download borrower's information anyway?

Similarly, they pride themselves on the fact that they can't pull up your recently borrowed books. (Which I think would be handy information) But again, they are fearful of the P.A.

Libraries are great but I have never had much love for my rather cold librarians. I suspect, however, that libraries are great because of dedicated librarians. :)

[LostinVA]

21. As soon as you check in a book, the record disappears

Almost ALL libraries do that, now: academic, public, etc.

[snot]

7. V. impt. to note that they're simulaneously taking control of the internet.

History will be a lot easier to re-write when it's all digital, esp. once the "semantic web" gets here.

[ohheckyeah]

8. They will have to pry my books

out of my cold, dead hands.

[Marr]

9. The internet does it better.

Of course, the same people who want to get rid of libraries also want to give media conglomerates the ability to control what you see on the internet. Odd, isn't it?

[alterfurz]

10. "Liberries? We doan need no stinkin liberries. We got Fox News!"

[piratefish08]

11. most Fox viewers wouldn't even know where to find their local library -

unless there was a monster truck rally in the parking lot.

[treestar]

12. Not everything is online

There are library catalogues online, not every book can be read there. To idiots as Faux, the shallow amount of information on the internet is more than enough. They just don't have a concept of reading more than the basics.

[Johonny]

13. My local Library has a great music, DVD and books section

so much for downloading music or Netflicks... just pop by the library where you bought that stuff already with your tax dollars.

[donco6]

15. They're first on the chopping block in any city budget cut.

At least they are around here.

[pinboy3niner]

16. The response from the Chicago Public Library Commissioner is EXCELLENT

Here's the link:


Read the response from Chicago Public Library Commissioner Mary A. Dempsey:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/library-taxes-closed-commissioner-reaction-letter-mary-dempsey-20100702

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. Excellent. n/t

[walldude]

18. Nailed it...

fighting the dumbing down of America.

[Ignis]

23. That was incredible! Love this quote from the letter:

The public library is supported by taxpayers for the common good of all the people of Chicago – just like public school. We don’t ask our schools to make profit. Neither should we ask it of the public library. As journalist Walter Cronkite once remarked, “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”

:patriot:

[Initech]

19. Fox News hates smart people.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. OK. Just as long as they teach people to say "Duh" properly.

[X_Digger]

22. How many people here at DU look at you funny..

.. when you tell them a particular fact they're looking for is not, in fact, on the internet somewhere; that the particular piece of information is only accessible at the local library, or even via inter-library loan; or that no, this particular book is out of print, and can't be ordered via amazon.

For a whole generation, it seems, if it isn't on the internet (or can't be ordered on the internet), it doesn't exist. It's a shame, really.

[Posteritatis]

24. Link?

*ducks and runs, dodging thrown objects*

[X_Digger]

25. No link handy, but you hear things like..

"Google didn't turn up anything when I searched for X." or "The only thing google turned up when I searched was X."

[Octafish]

26. Defund Public Education - Check...

Hey, Rupert! Aren't you worried about eternal damnation without relief?