When was the last time you went to a public library to read, study or supposedly ‘chill’? Had to think didn’t you? That’s because I believe there is no longer a need for public libraries. I feel public libraries are outdated and have served their purpose. They have lost the battle to modern technology.
I fail to see the need for public libraries. Thanks to technology, you can now easily and conveniently install/download for free a wide variety of books onto multiple electronic devices. These electronic devices make your book portable and easily accessible at the click of a button. Isn’t that better than leaving the warmth and comfort of your home and going out in the cold, travelling quite a distance to an old withering building, to go check out or read a worn out book which has probably been used by hundreds before you? This will surely leave you with nothing but an unsanitary sight and ripped pages.
Here are some likely excuses you will probably hear defending the need for public libraries: they are part of our history, part of our culture, a nice social area, its fun, and my personal favourite: ‘I like the feel of books’ or ‘it’s not the same without the turning of the pages’. For those who say they love the texture of turning a page of a book, well, there are book shops where you can buy a brand new book. If you love books so much you shouldn’t really have a problem spending a few pounds on a book. What is it you explore when reading a story? What allows a story to become so memorable and fun? Imagination. Imagination is what stories are all about, whether you are reading it from a library or at home, whether you reading from a book or behind a screen; the imagination is what allows you to enjoy a story; it’s what engulfs you into the authors world and this will always be there. If that doesn’t help you, then the only advice I can give you is to learn to adapt – the world is changing!
I am not arguing that there is no longer a need for books or to read; but that there is no longer a need for libraries. That’s why I’m questioning whether there is a purpose for a library in our modern society.
What happens when you remove all the books inside? What are you left with? A withering, old building, with no use and no purpose. Libraries were never meant to be a social ‘hot spot’ nor have they ever been.
In conclusion, libraries have served a wonderful purpose to many generations but have now run their course. However, I do believe, in order to give public libraries a use again I believe we simply need change their purpose, i.e. turning them into shelters or something we as a country and community need. You would still be able to keep the books in there if you wish and have the public still attend the library.
January 9, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Hi Razzaq!
I really like how you have used an informal tone and humor in this piece to give your reader a strong sense of the writer’s voice and views. The use of descriptive noun phrases such as “withering building” and “worn-out book” make your writing colourful whilst also contributing to your argument-well done!
Some points to work on:
-Check word order, for example in the sentence, “This therefore making your book now portable and becoming for you an easily accessible.” How could this sentence flow better? Read your work back to yourself out-loud to check for other examples of this.
-The long sentence at the end of the second paragraph works well and I like the humor that comes at the end, however you need to think carefully about how you might punctuate a sentence as long as this. Let me know if you’d like some help with this.
-Think about varying your sentence structure to include some short sentences.
-I’m not sure that your argument about libraries not being part of our culture works: could you maybe consider how our culture has changed since the introduction of modern technology such as the internet?
-You briefly introduce the idea that libraries could be used for a different purpose such as a shelter but don’t really expand on this-could you develop this argument?
I look forward to reading the next draft!
Miss Wild