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This is interesting, but I think we should really re-assess the role of public libraries in our system.
At one point in the distant past, libraries were necessary because books were created by hand and there was a limited supply of books. Even after books were printed, they weren't necessarily broadly available. The standard of living and access to book stores was limited so many people couldn't actually get books -- even though printing was bringing down costs.
Today, however, p-books and e-books are accessible to many. Is it really right for me to take your tax money to supply me with free books when I can get my own (both free form the authors/publishers and paid)? My local library also provides DVDs and even paintings. You can actually check out a painting for your wall for three months. At the end of that time you check it back in and get another free one to replace it. Now these are all great services and I (as a consumer/user) love them, but should your tax dollars really be used to give me these 'free' services?
My feeling is that there is still a digital divide, and that it is worthwhile to provide reading access to poorer children/folks. It is a good return on our taxes because their education will pay us back in their future productivity in society.
However, I'm not convinced that libraries should be using tax money to provide free goods (books, songs, videos, paintings, ...) to those people who can afford them on their own.
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