Current Events > Stupid opinion of the day: Amazon should replace libraries to save people money

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2018/07/21/amazon-should-replace-local-libraries-to-save-taxpayers-money/#6f2d319960a8

Amazon should open their own bookstores in all local communities. They can replace local libraries and save taxpayers lots of money, while enhancing the value of their stock.

There was a time local libraries offered the local community lots of services in exchange for their tax money. They would bring books, magazines, and journals to the masses through a borrowing system. Residents could borrow any book they wanted, read it, and return it for someone else to read.

They also provided residents with a comfortable place they could enjoy their books. They provided people with a place they could do their research in peace with the help of friendly librarians. Libraries served as a place where residents could hold their community events, but this was a function they shared with school auditoriums. Theres no shortage of places to hold community events.

Libraries slowly began to service the local community more. Libraries introduced video rentals and free internet access. The modern local library still provides these services, but they dont have the same value they used to. The reasons why are obvious.

One such reason is the rise of third places such as Starbucks. They provide residents with a comfortable place to read, surf the web, meet their friends and associates, and enjoy a great drink. This is why some people have started using their loyalty card at Starbucks more than they use their library card.

On top of this, streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have replaced video rentals. They provide TV and movie content to the masses at an affordable rate. Actual video rental services like Blockbuster have gone completely out of business.

Then theres the rise of digital technology. Technology has turned physical books into collectors items, effectively eliminating the need for library borrowing services.

Of course, theres Amazon Books to consider. Amazon have created their own online library that has made it easy for the masses to access both physical and digital copies of books. Amazon Books is a chain of bookstores that does what Amazon originally intended to do; replace the local bookstore. It improves on the bookstore model by adding online searches and coffee shops. Amazon Go basically combines a library with a Starbucks.

At the core, Amazon has provided something better than a local library without the tax fees. This is why Amazon should replace local libraries. The move would save taxpayers money and enhance the stockholder value of Amazon all in one fell swoop.

I don't think there's enough facepalms in the world for this.
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What the fuck? My local library is always still busy as hell.
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Topic title was right!
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The whole article is stupid af.

It would be awesome if amazon did create libraries but its just not worth it for them. Imagine a nice library with a starbucks inside, wifi, a good studying area, conference rooms, and you could borrow books or choose to buy them. And for borrowing or buying, all you'd have to do is scan the book on your app. You could either borrow that book, buy that used book for cheap, or buy a new version which they'd mail to you in 2 days.

I can tell you in San Jose at least that thing would be packed. And if such thing existed, I would be going there all the time.

But again its simply wont be able to generate enough revenue to keep it up. Unless they were to subsidize from the government - take that library funding and give the government a cut of revenue back. So it's a good investment for both sides.
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HBOSS posted...

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I don't know how often people use libraries, but this isn't necessarily stupid. How much do libraries cost taxpayers?
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Muffinz0rz posted...

HBOSS posted...

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Damn_Underscore posted...

I don't know how often people use libraries, but this isn't necessarily stupid. How much do libraries cost taxpayers?

In my city the average homeowner pays $38.50 per year for the city libraries as part of their property taxes.

The value you get out of that $38.50 is fucking stupid.
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If that's true all over the country the yeah this is a dumb idea
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lol guy must own stock at amazon

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