In the world of the politician you work with ideals and principles.
(Lobbyists and campaign contributors, too.)
In the world of the engineer you work with whatever is at hand.
Sometimes, the best library you can give a kid is something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-USB-2-0-...item2c6739355e
US$16 - 4GB of txt files and PD audio books. Not an idealist solution but it just might get something done.