Really stupid and anecdotal, but it really ticks me off.

If people don't know, my fiancee' works at a library - long regarded as a very good, solid institution of learning outside of school. A must-have for those that want to study on subjects outside of what school offers.

But lately, it seems (at least in my area), libraries are degrading themselves from insitutions of learning, into random entertainment centers for welfare-bound citizens.

At my library, it seems that the stupidity is only growing, as they recieved a large sum of money ($10m USD) from a patron.

So what does my library now offer due to this generous sum of money?

• A robust DVD collection of all the timeless favorites that Blockbuster offers - the library gets the DVD's faster than any rental shop in town. And it's free.
  
• A policy that allows any patron to come in, and sign up for renting up to 4 DVDs per visit to the library. Some patrons come in 7 days a week, and rent 4 DVD's each day.
  
• Oh, and the fiction DVD section outweighs non-fiction (ie, historical) by about 3:1 or even 4:1.
  
• Blu-Ray DVD's (soon)
• 20+ Internet Capable desktops. Not that it's a huge issue....Except for the fact that 70% of the time, the computers are used for Halo, MMOs or porn & dating

And the kicker: They will be "renting" out Xbox 360's, Wiis and video games for both consoles. Entirely free, to the public.

Now, some might say "OMG, YOU HAVE THE COOLEST LIBRARY EVER", which at first, sounds great. But lets think about it: Rather than help students, or people learn, they are entirely dedicated to catering to get people in the library, regardless of the reason. Am I the only one that thinks this is stupidity at it's finest?

Hmm sounds like a cool idea but your right.

I'll be the first to "rent" a Wii and never bring it back.

I look at movies as just as a legitimate source of cultural heritage and entertainment as books, so I don't really see that big of a problem. Should we take the fiction sections out of libraries? As art, fiction novels and fictional movies are not that inherently different except the media by which it is transmitted. I do agree that the cost is a little more prohibitive, but some of those fiction books (especially new ones) cost more than some DVD's.  And you are hearing all this from a former major in English literature.

You have to also understand why libraries are doing this. Libraries who have more traffic can justify getting more funding, and frankly a lot of libraries in past years/decades were suffering from a dearth of traffic, meaning some were having to cut hours or close entirely (such as in my hometown). Anything that gets people into the library is fine by me, as long as it isn't too cost prohibitive.

I don't see an issue of having computers and good internet connections in a library too.

Renting video game systems is definitely a little excessive though. Too much risk of loss, etc. Video games to a lesser degree, but probably a bit much.

I dont't get the Title?

Well, there should certainly be a system of priority for those people who are their to learn, but having DVDs is okay, so long as their content is more geared to that of learning. Having Band of Brothers there, or something like that is good, as it does encourage interest in historical subjects, but they should probably keep star wars out...

Ahh, your catching on very quickly.

The issue is that the libraries (at leas the ones I have ever been to) have NEVER rented out any playing mediums for any media....CD Players, VCRs, Casette Players, PCs....Why video game consoles?

And even then, your looking at $50-$60 games vs. $20 DVDs and so on.

It depends, if books are getting checked out as often or less than before then yes, if there are more books checked out then their tactic seems to be working. So which is it?

Thing is (as I said), I can assure you that they have Ep 1-6 of Star Wars + the box set + any antimated series. They even have an anime section (and a rather large one).

Got House Season 1 on DVD? They do.

Every movie that grossed over $50m in the United States at the box office in the past 5 years? They do.

I am NOT opposed to them carrying DVDs, or even non-fiction DVDs. I can understand carrying movies that have swayed culture, and become 'pop' icons. But when I can pin down the fact they'll have The Dark Knight on 12/12/08, and reserve a free copy now, it becomes a little bit insane that they are doing that with public funding, no?

I agree that it is a bit much to rent out equipment.  Maybe if the equipment is relatively inexpensive or that it can't be taken out of the library (i.e. you have to give them a driver's license or a deposit before you can check it out), then I don't mind, but consoles are too much.

It just all comes down to cost.  They can probably get a lot of those DVD's for $10-$20 (or less if they go to Wal-Mart!), and pretty much any book is going to cost that much.  The downside is the DVD's can get scratched, but I guess people can fuck up books about as badly.