this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2026
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I wonder how well this would work in my neighborhood 😬 but it’s a good initiative. And since someone has figured it all out, and even studied the results, it’s literally a “no brainer”.
Libraries are uniquely positioned to fill the need for third spaces, social places where people come gather and mix among their communities. The problem, at least here in the states, is that a particular segment of society views them as useless since they don't generate a profit.
That is a deadly mindset. And there’s a dehumanising element inherently in that, that not only are we not worth it, but that worth itself is a product of wealth.
That's my entire point though. The powers that be dont view libraries or even common areas as beneficial or even useful as they don't line someone's pockets. I'd say you'd have a solid majority of people off the street would very much like to see their local libraries funded, as would I, yet more often than not they're the first on the chopping block when fund cuts make their rounds.
@Seimhe
@bobs_monkey
It's a very common view in the US, unfortunately.
If there are problems you can always take a deposit.
I’m probably catastrophising. But if it is broken or “lost”, then hasn’t the library has basically traded the item for a fraction of the cost?
From a socioeconomic point, if it gets enough uses by enough people it's worth it. So the math then is what side of the threshold you'll land on
Yeah, that’s a good point. So it will depend how quickly the item disappears.
At least the way the auto parts store does it, you get charged the full price of a tool if you fail to return it.
(Source: I accidentally bought a vacuum pump.)
That actually sounds ideal.
I mean, I could've gotten a better deal if I'd been shopping around intentionally...
The deposit could be greater or equal to the items value to encourage returning it.