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We pay for libraries through taxes, it’s just that they’re considered a public good so important that everyone has to contribute to pay for them.

Public libraries are paid for through public taxation.

Which suggests a possible solution the the greater problem.

I do pay for my library card, because my city doesn't have a library (unless you count bookmobile), and the nearby cities that do have libraries charge you to get a library card if you aren't a resident. And it is approx. $9.99/mo.

Wow... mine is $25/year. I live in a rural county, but work across the border in a less rural county, with a much bigger library system. For $25/year I get access to probably 10x as much stuff through them. I expect it might go to $30 this year.

Depends completely where you are. My library would cost €60/year.

https://www.oba.nl/service/word-lid.html

All the replies are missing the point.

Netflix and Spotify make a fuck ton of money. The library doesn't. As always it's the publishers you should be pissed at.