In America’s most dangerous cities, how hard is it to find a book?
Speaking on Tuesday at a memorial service for the five police officers who were slain last week in Dallas, President Obama turned to one of his favorite topics: gun control. “As a society,” Obama said,
we choose to under-invest in decent schools. We allow poverty to fester so that entire neighborhoods offer no prospect for gainful employment. We refuse to fund drug-treatment and mental-health programs. We flood communities with so many guns that it is easier for a teenager to buy a Glock than get his hands on a computer or even a book.
Thus far, the responses to this digression have focused in on its propriety, the question at hand being whether it was appropriate for the president to hijack a funeral to push his domestic political agenda. But few commentators have asked an equally important question: Is what Obama said actually true?
The simple answer is: No. Indeed, Obama’s remark demonstrates a profound ignorance about the relative ease of acquiring firearms and books in the contemporary United States. For a start, it is a federal crime for anybody to purchase a handgun below the age of 18 (Glock is a handgun manufacturer). And, even if it weren’t, the process by which one purchases a Glock is in no way comparable to the process by which one acquires a book. In one case, buyers are obliged to submit to a federal background check, and/or to pay hundreds upon hundreds of dollars; in the other, they are required only to walk into a building and give their name for the record. Whether one buys a Glock from a gun store or engages with a private seller, one will come up first against the profit motive, and second against a veritable cornucopia of federal restrictions. Public libraries, by contrast, offer books — for free — to any American who wants them, and without erecting obstacles to be placed in the borrower’s path. We are comparing apples and oranges.
Is what Obama said actually true?
As a matter of fact, even in the most violent cities in the country, both books and computers are easily obtainable at the many public libraries that are open to all. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at the ten most violent cities in America (and, just to make the experiment pure, let’s ignore the schools, bookstores, neighbors, and any other sources from which teenagers can obtain affordable or free books):
Detroit, Mich.
Crime rate per 100,000: 1988.63
Public Libraries: 23
Including other libraries in the area, 30 different library locations come up in the Detroit Yellow Pages. The Detroit Public Library system also offers computer-skills classes, and cardholders can access the computers free of charge.
Memphis, Tenn.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1740.51
Public Libraries: 18
And don’t forget, Memphis’s library also offers eBooks, music, and other resources available to cardholders for free through the library website.
Oakland, Calif.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1685.39
Public Libraries: 19
Oakland’s library system provides this handy PDF directing citizens to any one of its 19 locations spread throughout the city. In the system’s most recent annual report, Director of Library Services Gerry Garzón proudly noted that “library staff have moved beyond the traditional model of simply creating inviting spaces for patrons to visit and access resources.”
Now, OPL can be found at neighborhood celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo, Oaktoberfest, Love Our Lake, Pedal Fest, the Pride Parade, and more. Eight branches host special events to mark National Night Out with their neighbors, and our Teen Advisory Board organizes Culture Fest each summer to engage the community and celebrate our diverse backgrounds.
St. Louis, Mo.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1678.73
Public Libraries: 20
St. Louis’s library system prides itself not only for offering access to books and computers, but also for actively engaging the local community.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1476.41
Public Libraries: 16
“We’re turning the Milwaukee Public Libraries into lively, vibrant gathering places. Places to converse and explore,” reads the Milwaukee library system’s website. “Places filled with movies, music, art, e-books, e-mags, laptops, and of course, a couple million books.” I wonder if President Obama can offer examples of a system of locales in Milwaukee that offers citizens millions of free guns or where parties are held to encourage further involvement in firearm activity.
Baltimore, Md.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1338.54
Public Libraries: 20
The Southeast Anchor Library in Baltimore offers a program for both English and Spanish speakers to work on their conversation skills as part of their initiative to have unique offerings in different neighborhoods. Moreover, Baltimore libraries show a serious commitment to helping people of different language backgrounds enjoy easy access books and other learning resources.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1334.35
Public Libraries: 30
One of the most impressive library systems in the nation, Cleveland has 30 locations that dot all corners of the city. On top of books, the libraries offer language learning and a Lynda.com database for skills learning.
Stockton, Calif.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1331.47
Public Libraries: 13
The Stockton library’s website encourages citizens to “express your freedom to read by reading a book on the Banned Book List!” The library is very excited about the ease and freedom with which any person in Stockton can read books without legal barriers whatsoever.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1254.66
Public Libraries: 23
At Indianapolis libraries, the non-profit “Art With a Heart” has programs such as teaching cartooning based on a certain famous feline-creator that calls Indiana home: “Children ages 7 and older are invited to create their own comic strip based on the works of Indiana native Jim Davis, creator of Garfield. They’ll develop and implement a character into their own comic strip using double-tipped brush pens, color pencils, markers and sharpies.” In spite of the president’s speech, I doubt Garfield will suddenly start supporting the NRA — or handing out free guns — any time soon.
Kansas City, Mo.
Violent crime rate per 100,000: 1251.45
Public Libraries: 10
Showing that libraries can offer more than just books, the Kansas City library won 2014’s Excellence in Library Programming award for its exhibit “Greetings from Kansas City: Postcard Views of a Midwestern Metropolis.”
By pretending that it is easier to get hold of a Glock than to get hold of a book or a computer, President Obama has shown a chronic lack of awareness about the very cities for which he claims to be fighting. For this talking point, at least, it’s back to the drawing board.