US/ND-1: Re: If libraries sold books would there be any book stores?
Re: If libraries sold books would there be any book stores?
TC Public Library (tcpublib@traverse.lib.mi.us)
Thu, 29 Aug 1996 23:18:44 -0400 (EDT)
On Thu, 29 Aug 1996, Robert Mammel wrote:
> If libraries sold books, would there be any book stores?
Absolutely. And the same is true if bookstores loaned books.
> If libraries sell Internet dial in access (become an ISP) will there be any
> commercial Internet Service Providers?
Again, yes. We are a public library offering internet access and there are
six local commercial internet providers serving the same population.
> Commercial Internet access wasn't obviously forthcoming two years ago in
> sparsely populated Northern Michigan, so the local libraries banded
> together to offer dial in service. Two years later only one commercial
> provider has braved competing against the subsidized services offered by
> the libraries.
And I sincerely hope Freeway thrives. It's needed in this part of the
country.
> Once a subsidized service is in place in a marginal profit area, such as in
> rural communities, is it likely that any non-subsidized provider will ever
> brave that market?
I certainly hope so. I like bookstore *and* libraries. I like the choice.
Mike McGuire
Library Director
Community Network Administrator
"Sleep is merely my hobby"