gamesareart asked: What do you think about libraries? I personally enjoy the opportunity to watch movies and read books for free with my library card. As someone considering deciding to identify with the Libertarian party, doesn't it seem a tad bit hypocritical. While from a pragmatic standpoint it doesn't make sense to deny the services provided to you, it also makes sense not to use the services out of principle. What do you think about this issue, and other related issues (other services included). Also what is the official Libertarian Opinion on Public Libraries.
First, it’s important to recall that those movies and books aren’t actually free, are they? You’re paying for them with your taxes, though there isn’t a box on the W-2 marked “library tax.” So you’re going to be paying for the use of your local library regardless of whether it’s public or private (unless it’s a charitable endeavor, which seems quite likely to me in the absence of public facilities).
Nonetheless, I like libraries too. Of course, I’d say that this, like other services the state provides outside its proper role, could be better provided by the free market — and indeed should be. I mean, think about most public libraries now: Unless you live in a big city, your public library is probably a smattering of children’s books, romance novels, one shelf of “classics,” and a handful of nonfiction books divided between self-help, history, and biographies. The hours are limited and half the movies are vhs.
Now consider the libraries of private colleges and universities (yes, I know, most of them receive some government funding, but they’re certainly the more private of the two). It’s a much better situation, right? So libraries and similar services really ought to be returned to the private sector.
That said, I’d hardly say this is a high priority. On the continuum of things the government does which it should not do, libraries are about as innocuous as it gets. Unless you make the argument that if the government controls the libraries, it controls most of what the people read…
As far as the practical question is concerned, my answer is…I don’t know. There are strong arguments to be made (which have been made by very credible libertarians) both for pragmatically using these services because you paid for it anyway and for avoiding them on principle. With services like government roads (clearly abominable, given our traffic situation in all major cities), we don’t really have much of a choice. With libraries, government colleges, and similar programs…I haven’t entirely made up my mind quite yet. I tend to not use libraries, for instance, but that’s mostly because I don’t like to give the books back XD
Oh and as for the official libertarian opinion: If you mean small-l libertarians, it’s probably just that they should be private. If you mean the Libertarian Party, I haven’t any idea. I’m not a member.
