Just stumbled across this from Maryland (http://maryland.lib.overdrive.com/87A30683-40C9-4672-9FEA-6911E9D60D88/10/252/en/Default.htm)

Looks interesting.

In my opinion limiting the number of copies available in a digital library kills the whole point of going digital.
On the other hand... I understand the reasons for doing so.

Any good ideas on how to eat the cake and have it too?
I guess the idea is that by lmiting the number of books available ina library people will still be motivated to purchase the book.
How true is this?
e.g. look at the "Recently returned" section:
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Come on ! That's public domain book. Verne's been dead a hundred years...

but let's take another example:
what if the new Harry Potter book was added to this digital library with no limit on the number of copies available? would this kill book sales?
What could we do about it?

Sic.

Well, if it is volume you are interested in, the Cleveland library has about 5x Maryland. See www.cpl.org and use the link to eMedia.

You need to be an Ohio resident to play in this sandbox, though.