The American public library system has been one of the earliest victims of conservative austerity. But while the public library system slowly collapses, a new modern iteration of the members-only lending library has risen. These specialized libraries collect fees from members and curate specific types of boutique collections. VICE Magazine takes a look at a few, including Brooklyn’s Wendy’s Subway and Portland’s The Personal Libraries Library. While these new libraries offer an alternative to a taxpayer-supported system, there are drawbacks:
But the boutique library also breaks with the historical tradition of what made the grand libraries of modern America so great in the first place: practical educational resources for all walks of life, especially those who otherwise wouldn’t have access.
