Excuse me for the deceiving title, I was just being sarcastic – well-developed libraries are only a dream. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame libraries but this cultural section is in a catastrophic condition because of our government. I think it should be changed significantly, what is more, urgently. I could list the causes why it is in a bad shape until tomorrow morning but these are the most important ones:
- Libraries are very underpaid: their average take-home pay is $300 (€270) per month.
- Their computing infrastructure is out-of-date. Most libraries have at least ten-year-old computers with Windows XP operating systems. I have never seen Apple computers in any of the Hungarian libraries.
- Libraries have difficulties with the deficit: very often they cannot even buy new books, not to mention computers.