WTF UK: Fee Charging Library

図書館のカードを作ったので早速本を予約しようと思ったら、なんとここらの図書館は予約するの有料なの！郡が運営する図書館なのに、有料！！！なんてことだ、イギリス。図書館の本質を覆す態度だね、有料なんて。

予約料金が１冊６０ペンスなので日本円にして約８４円。古本屋で本買ったほうがよくない？その上DVDは一つ３ポンド。約４２０円。それも貸出期間がたったの１週間。２０年前のビデオレンタル料金並みですよ。

イギリス、いろんなものが有料すぎて、びっくり。

I made a library card, so I went online to reserve a book. It turns out, the library CHARGES FEES FOR RESERVATION. I am appalled. I'm talking about a public library run by a county. This is a serious infraction of residents' rights. I may be a temporary resident here, but I am (or MOTH is) paying a county tax for the property we rent (that's separate from the rent that we pay to our landlord).

It's only 60 pence (73 cents), but it is almost as expensive as buying a used book. On top of that, they charge 3 pounds, THREE FREAKING POUNDS ($3.65), for a DVD. And it's good for only a week. That's like a Blockbuster price 20 years ago.

Government and business here all nickel-and-dime every single service. I am not happy.