Libraries versus Amazon subscription

Here’s a text-graphic that compares monthly costs to subscribe to Amazon Prime versus the average cost in taxes to support a library.

The graphic was compiled by EveryLibrary​ in response to an opinion piece in Forbes. In it, contributor Panos Mourdoukoutas argued that Amazon should open its own bookstores “in all local communities.” Amazon could supposedly “replace local libraries and save taxpayers lots of money.”
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With its graphic, EveryLibrary argues that amenities that come standard as part of supporting libraries, cost extra through Amazon Prime.

In the words of EveryLibrary:

“[L]ibraries cost the average American taxpayer over 18 years old just $4.50 per month. An Amazon Prime subscription alone is nearly double that price and you get very little for free with that subscription because you still have to buy books or pay more to gain access to premium goods or services. If you want audio books or eBooks on Amazon, you need to pay for an Audible subscription or Kindle unlimited ($10 a month or twice the cost of a library) but you can get that for free through Overdrive (Libby) at your local library. If you want newly released movies, you have to buy the premium Amazon channels or you can get those for free at your library. If you want access to premium music you have to pay another $7.99 a month on Amazon or you can use Freegal or Hoopla at your library for free. And, if you want magazines, you can just get those for free from your library with Zinio or PressReader.”

And many of the services that libraries offer their communities simply have no counterpart through the online retailer.

Again, in the words of EveryLibrary:

“Libraries are community spaces where children come in order to learn to read and get a head start on learning. They are places where adults can get the help they need to explore an increasingly complex digital and information driven work environment. Veterans returning from overseas can attend programs to help them gain access to critical services. Small business owners and entrepreneurs can access global market databases like Gale Business Insights and use ReferenceUSA and AtoZ Databases to find new leads. Children can play with stem toys to learn how to engage with the latest technologies and gain the skills they’ll need in the workforce. They do all of this and whole lot more, for a lot less than Amazon or any other organization in the country.”

Someone might say that people subscribe voluntarily to Amazon Prime or not, while “all” taxpayers have to support the library. But we also pay for a lot of other things, whether or not we can recognize direct benefit. Libraries enrich society; they provide access to life-long learning that leads to a better-educated populace. There’s no telling how many ways a person might benefit society, using information from print or online resources that were obtained through the library.

Forbes has taken down Mourdoukoutas’ opinion piece, but if people want to read it, they can access it via the “Wayback Machine​” historic archive of the Internet.

As related by Quartz, a Forbes spokesperson said this about the op-ed’s removal:

“Forbes advocates spirited dialogue on a range of topics, including those that often take a contrarian view. Libraries play an important role in our society. This article was outside of this contributor’s specific area of expertise, and has since been removed.”