[net.politics.theory] Public libraies in Libertaria

friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley Friesen) (01/01/70)

>>
>
>Were I given the power, I would privatize the entire library system.
>Libraries are an ideal candidate for privatization.  A private library
>would be financed by dues paid by its members, who then can check out books, 
>films, videotapes, etc.  Unfortunately, the privatization of librarires has 
>never been tried (so far as I know), so I can only conjecture that private 
>librarires would be voraciously competitive, cheap, and efficient.  I believe 
>that almost anyone could afford to belong to one.
>
	Actually this is one area wher I am essentially in agreement
with libertarians.  If I understand the situation rightly, a similar
approach actually *is* used in Great Britain. The libraries are
"government"(that is there appears to be only one per village),
but are supported by member dues, called "subscriptions".  In the
aftermath of Prop. 13 here in California with the *drastic* reduction
in library hours, I can see the value of such a system. (The smaller
branches are only open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM weekdays).
-- 

				Sarima (Stanley Friesen)

{trwrb|allegra|cbosgd|hplabs|ihnp4|aero!uscvax!akgua}!sdcrdcf!psivax!friesen
or {ttdica|quad1|bellcore|scgvaxd}!psivax!friesen

fagin@ucbvax.ARPA (Barry Steven Fagin) (03/15/85)

Nigel Gale asks:
>
>What happens to Public Libraries in Libertaria?
>How are Adult Literacy Classes financed?
>Who decides whether Adult Literacy Classes are worthwhile?
>

Were I given the power, I would privatize the entire library system.
Libraries are an ideal candidate for privatization.  A private library
would be financed by dues paid by its members, who then can check out books, 
films, videotapes, etc.  Unfortunately, the privatization of librarires has 
never been tried (so far as I know), so I can only conjecture that private 
librarires would be voraciously competitive, cheap, and efficient.  I believe 
that almost anyone could afford to belong to one.

>How are Adult Literacy Classes financed?

Adult Literacy Classes would be financed by anyone who wanted to
finance Adult Literacy Classes, of course.  This would include
charitable organizations, and anyone who thought they could make
money at it (perhaps by charging a fee, payable when and if graduates
get jobs).

>Who decides whether Adult Literacy Classes are worthwhile?

Those who willing and able to attend them, and those who are
willing and able to give them.  

--Barry
-- 
Barry Fagin @ University of California, Berkeley