Is This A Library?

Today, I made one of my frequent treks to the New York Public Library, 42nd St. Branch (the one with the twin lions). They recently opened a new room that offers free laptop rentals with wifi access to anyone with a current library card. Fewer books, but plenty of wifi access! The vast changes that new technology has brought to our culture is a Pandora's box of sorts. We are losing our desire to do serious reading while becoming more distracted by entertainment on the Internet. I mentioned that in a bit of light banter with two library volunteers at the information desk. They responded with what seemed to be pent up feelings on this issue. They too, are alarmed at the rate that public libraries, once icons of literacy are turning into what are fundamentally government funded Internet cafes.

Their concerns are valid. On the whole, serious journalism and a love for reading are dying in this country. The New York Times is a whopping $2.00 at the newsstand for the daily edition, a price that discourages access to good print journalism by students and the working poor. Our culture is being dumbed down at a time when the potential for manipulation and abuse of public trust has never been greater.

Well, after my brief conversation, I sat down, opened my own laptop, and started to work. Like most inventions in our culture, the Web offers both benefits and dangers. My career as a Web Designer would not exist without the Internet. Still, I do not need to look far to see the the price we are paying as we lose our love for reading.