So, to clarify... I'm not sure where Dr. Mourdoukoutas got this figure. I have to assume he has a literal itemization on a local tax bill that says "Public Library -- $495". But just for fun, let's see where that $495 goes. For $1.36 a day, what does Dr. Mourdoukoutas get?
As best as I can tell, Dr. Mourdoukoutas lives in Plainview, NY, which is a hamlet in the Town of Oyster Bay, which is one of the three towns that make up Nassau County, NY. His local library is Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, a shared facility for both hamlets. 
POB Library is pretty great. In addition to the tens of thousands of books it holds, it also offers online access to many (if not most) titles, DVDs, music CDs, books on tape, foreign language learning on CDs, video games, etc. But it doesn't stop there.
Local libraries aren't just about things you can check out, they're about things you can experience: town events, community organizing, classes, networking get-togethers, etc. Your local public library is the Swiss Army Knife of the community. All things to all people.
Dr. Mourdoukoutas is really missing out. For example, here are the events at POB Library this week ALONE: yoga, Tai-Chi, and zumba on Monday; an ESL class and Holocaust seminar on Tuesday; pilates and movie night on Weds; therapy groups on Thurs, and DANCERSIZE ON FRIDAYS!!!
Also, next Sunday, local queen Libby Skala is performing a one-woman show at 3pm, and holy wow, I really want to attend this. Libby sounds fun.
And POB Library, like the vast majority of public libraries, have no shortage of fun programs for child literacy, learning, and social engagement. If you're a kid in a family barely scraping by or one that's abusive, these are lifesavers. I would know: poblib.org/images/pdfdocs…
So, we know that a public library isn't just a place to check out books. In various ways, it's the heart of the community. POB is no different. But let's say Dr. Mourdoukoutas is really upset with the budget of POB... I wonder if there are ways to address that without @Amazon?
Turns out that Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library has a Board of Trustees, and these folks get together to discuss all sorts of things, including the budget. What's more is that they're pretty damn specific and contentious about the money going in and out of their system.
For instance, take this small debate over paying what I can only assume is either an instructor to teach folks about baking or baked goods provided for events the library hosts. Local party animal Mr. Polansky has wisely stepped-in to halt the bacchanalian proceedings.
From another meeting, they agree to allowing the Chamber of Commerce to hold the Fall Festival at the library (you know, beating heart of the community and all that) before getting gritty about the performance of a staff member with "can I speak to your manager" tones of rebuke.
Oh! And would you look at this... in March, Dr. Mourdoukoutas could have attended the Board of Trustees meeting discussing the library's budget. There was also an election in the spring to the Board. He and Mr. Polansky could have formed a formidable voting bloc.
Maybe instead of calling for a capitalist takeover of every public service because the Gospel of Ayn Rand not yet sufficiently infiltrated the various hamlets of Long Island, it would be wise to attend a board meeting and ask questions? Get elected to the board or town council?
Maybe, perhaps, engage in the local civics process like any reasonable adult instead of calling for a major hub of local life to be scraped for a corporate expansion? Because voters approved every bit of this. That's how democracy works. But you have to show up.
Because if Dr. Mourdoukoutas had taken the time to examine his local library, he'd see that it's far more than just books. That his $495 is paying for community engagement, childhood development, adult recreation, and even bringing local capitalists together for a fall festival.
Anyway, I can only hope that Dr. Mourdoukoutas learns how much his local library helps his community, how essential it is to community life, how much of a bargain it is that he gets to pay $1.36 a day for all of this. Pretty awesome. Support your local libraries. /thread
