"Prime Minister David Cameron stressed that his government is happy to invest in libraries, if they evolve."
I'm sorry, Prime Minister, but I respectfully disagree. What you don't seem to understand is that evolution, like almost everything else in this world, take money. The libraries you are threatening can't possibly compete with the likes of Google if they can't pay for the software or the in-house talent to develop it themselves. Oh, and by the way, where, pray tell, do you go when you need information to help you in your governing? Yes, your aides. And where do your aides go? To the frickin' library. They ask for help because they can't possibly find everything on through a search engine.
What the British Prime Minister is asking of that country's libraries is ridiculous. You don't tell a hospital that it'll get funded once it builds that new cancer treatment wing. You fund it first. Yes, you should avoid just throwing money at a problem and develop a plan of action. But this latest action, is non-action. Its powerful non-action that could wipe out libraries across Great Britain.
To avoid being all rant-y, I will openly praise the actions that the local communities there have taken. One group checked out every book in a local library in order to send a message that they believe these institutions are important. Others are trying to suggest compromises or alternative solutions.
I do hope that the libraries in Britain stay open. Yes, I agree that libraries need to make some upgrades, but hopefully the government will begin to understand how to bring about those upgrades instead of preventing them.
(via NPR)
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