In Which I Muse on the Subject of Free

Dear Librarian Upset about Reduced Free Public Services,

I understand, I really do, that when a “free” service is cut, it impacts people deeply–people who have depended on that service as a resource they could not otherwise afford.

But to cut a “free” service is not an act of “oppression” or “marginalization” as I have seen so many people propose. Yes, some of the fall-out is that stereotypically marginalized groups would feel the effects of this decision by no longer receiving these services and subsequently being denied the opportunities those services might have afforded.  But let’s consider for a moment that word afford. “Free for you” does not mean that the service is unpaid for. Someone pays the facility fees, the electricity/heat/water bill, the salaries of those involved in providing the service. How are these things funded?

Where does the money come from?

Money can either be raised, taken forcibly, or defunded from another service. But it must come from somewhere.

No one (at least no one of which I am aware) sits around thinking, “How can I oppress the people who benefit from these services that they don’t currently pay for? I know–let’s make their miserable lives MORE miserable by denying these services and limiting their upward mobility and quality of life–MUAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Budgeting and wise money management means that in an economy of increased inflation and ever-increasing debt, some “free” services must either be moved from the cost-free provision sector to the paid-for-by-beneficiary sector or just cut.
There is nothing Draconian nor malicious about these decisions.

It’s called budgeting.
When costs go up, more money must be obtained to cover increased costs, or a decision must be made about what to no longer pay for.

There is no good decision in which everyone wins.

But there also isn’t a bad guy.

So please, stop trying to convince yourself that everyone is trying to oppress the people who benefit most from these services. Yes, many people benefit from these services, and that is wonderful; and it is sad that they will no longer receive these benefits. As a girl who grew up visiting the library once a week, I think it is EXCEEDINGLY sad that so many library services are being terminated.

But I operate on a budget. And it gets tighter and tighter with every increased nickel I pay per gallon at the gas pump. It gets tighter with each increase to my health care costs and with each upward surge in the price I pay for my groceries. And as these prices change, I trim things from my spending. That is the way a budget works. So I understand that you buy what you can pay for; and if you can’t pay for it, you can’t pay for it.

So, rather than heaping guilt on those who have such tough decisions to make, if these programs are truly worth investing in, why don’t you start a fundraising campaign in your community to make a difference where YOU are? You can’t keep all the programs open everywhere, but surely you can raise money in your area to benefit the marginalized where you live? If it matters that much to you, do something positive. Yes, it will require dedication and investment of your own time and resources. But aren’t you trying to demand that others hand over theirs? If it matters that much to you, invest your own.

Sincerely,
C~