Neil Gaiman on the value and future of libraries and reading

[thewayne]

Very good piece, two things in particular stood out. First, he attended a talk about the American private prison industry and that they projected their future growth and need for cells based on the literacy rate of 10 and 11 year olds. Wow. Second, that English town councils have been closing libraries to save money, Gaiman talks about the penny-wise, pound-foolish aspect. He says that England is the only country in which the oldest generation is more literate and numerate than the youngest generation, which bodes ill for the future.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

Comments

[silveradept]

I have seen that quote, and the shirts associated.

I'm also steeped enough in library culture that a day care service doesn't even get me to bat an eye or think it the tiniest bit strange. Probably a highly successful program fulfilling a community need.