Quote:
Originally Posted by Fbone
Libraries serve the underprivileged first. A person with a home computer and ereader probably does not fit that profile. With the budget cuts they are trying to save computer access to the public. Online databases and interlibrary loans are next priorities.
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Yes, but that's not all they serve. Governments (and libraries) have various constituencies to serve. US governments provide tax relief to mortgage holders. It could be argued that tax relief should go directly to renters -- people who can't afford to buy their own homes -- ie. serving the underprivileged first.
I believe there is room for libraries to embrace ebooks, reaching more patrons and at significantly lower cost -- overhead, maintenance, replacement.