Tuesday, December 03, 2002

Books More Popular than Donuts

Ottawa, November 27, 2002 — "At the start of the new century, there are more libraries in Canada than Tim Hortons and McDonald’s restaurants combined – 22 000 compared to 2 049 ‘Tim’s’ and more than 1 200 McDonald’s. And for every three donuts sold by Tim Hortons in 1999, one book or other item was accessed by someone in a library somewhere in the country." [ resourceshelf]

What does it mean when a national cultural institution such as Canada's National Library compares itself to St. Tim? And what does it mean when that same institution is proud that libraries have more outlets but move less objects?

Ok. I grant you that a book takes a little bit more time that a digestible donut.

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