US Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds 61% of public libraries have health or safety issue, 40% have a failing major system

Food for thought! How much do we still need public libraries in the digital age?

Theoretically, all books out of copyright could be digitized and provided by a single library for access to all the inhabitants of the world. Accommodations for elderly or disabled individuals can be provided.

If I were a radical I would propose to close them all and/or rededicate a few public libraries and/or shrink them dramatically!

As far as public meeting spaces are concerned, perhaps there are better solutions than big buildings with tons of book shelves!

Caveat: I did not read the entire article.

"... About 6,000 libraries nationwide (nearly 40%) say that part of their building is in poor condition, and about 7,000 report having a physical barrier to access for people with disabilities.

Federal funding is generally available for library programs and services, not for construction or repairs. Many libraries cite funding and construction costs as challenges to addressing building needs. ...

An estimated 38 percent (about 6,000) of the nation’s public libraries have at least one building system, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), in poor condition, according to GAO’s survey of libraries. An estimated 61 percent, or 9,800 libraries, have at least one building system or feature that poses a potential health or safety concern.  ..."

GAO finds 61% of public libraries have health or safety issue, 40% have a failing major system | Just The News "The audit findings are based on a nationally representative survey of about 16,400 public libraries across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories."

Public Libraries: Many Buildings Are Reported to Be in Poor Condition, with Increasing Deferred Maintenance (original news release)