Obnoxious Jerks

Facebook “friend” replied to a post of mind with this: “I think its interesting that libraries aren't considered in the same category as music pirating/illegal downloads. All of that savings equates to writers not being paid for their work.” Besides calling him a jerk face poopy head, how should I respond to this seriously privilege white male and his attitude about libraries? Help Littens, HELP!!!

Jennick2004 😱 6y

dariazeoli Reply to him with a list of authors who support libraries, than unfollow that noise. 🙄 6y

wonderkales Libraries do have to pay for the books they use though. Ebooks are a great example of that, ebooks can only be used a certain number of times before the library has to pay for the ebook again. The Reading Glasses Podcast did a great interview with a librarian on some of these points. 6y

See All 15 Comments

JSW Libraries are a community service. They provide access to information, not just books. Libraries are a source of free internet and computers, resource materials that not everyone can afford to purchase, programs that introduce people (children and adults) to literacy, and a place to gather with others. “Free” books is only one aspect of what libraries provide their communities. 6y

JSW Not to mention that historically, only the very wealthy could afford books. Libraries only existed privately and books were not available to the common person, in other words, knowledge was not available to the common person. Public libraries changed the playing field. They allowed anyone access to information, regardless of socioeconomic status. 6y

JSW Access to information and the ability to read have often been tools of the oppressor to maintain control and power and privilege. Slaves in America were not allowed to learn to read. The poor in many places (including America) don‘t have access to an education because of prohibitive costs. Girls are even now denied schooling around the globe. Public access to information and education is revolutionary. Libraries serve the cause. 🖕🏻 (edited) 6y

JSW POWER TO THE LIBRARIES. POWER TO THE PEOPLE. 🙌🏼 6y

KathyWheeler I‘m shocked at the idiocy and privilege reflected in that statement. Libraries pay huge amounts of money for what they purchase. A book checked out from a library doesn‘t automatically = loss of revenue for an author; it‘s impossible to know whether a person would‘ve bought the book if no library had been around — money or not. Many authors are great supporters of libraries because they know that‘s how their books get out to a wider public. 6y

Prairiegirl_reading Don‘t do the work for him. Tell him to find out how much libraries pay to publishers for the books they loan and how that system actually works. Then unfriend him. 6y

Bookgirl Looks like @JSW has got your answer covered. He may simply be ignorant and not thinking things through. Or, he may be a pot-stirrer. Either way, I wouldn‘t let it bug you. People say all sorts of silly things, especially on social media. Deep breaths and unfollow or unfriend if he‘s always being a jerk. 6y

LisaJo @Jennick2004 @dariazeoli @wonderkales @JSW @KathyWheeler @Prairiegirl_reading @Bookgirl Thank you all for your help. I believe I will provide him with some info you have suggested and then say goodbye to him. #LITTENSROCK 6y

MicheleinPhilly Oh good grief. Bye Felicia! 6y

LisaJo @MicheleinPhilly 😂😂😂😂 6y

LisaJo Hey all, I think one of the best responses I got to this issue was on Twitter. Of course, besides all of your great answers. Somebody reminded me, and all of us, that libraries are not taking the books and making 1 million copies of them. As one would do with pirated or illegal downloads. Libraries are buying the books from the publishers and allowing people to check out the purchase copies. 6y

Pamwurtzler @LisaJo Exactly!! 6y

45 likes15 comments

Welcome to Litsy!

Trending Hashtags

Trending Books