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It's been an interesting discussion.
As always, follow the $
1. I believe publishers have, from the beginning, worried not only about how they would make money in the digital age and protect themselves from piracy but how they could increase their profits over print books. A cartoon Wolf with dollar signs in its eyes comes to mind but that is perhaps an extreme imagination. At any rate all of their decisions and posturing seem to support that view.
2. Publishers feel that Libraries are fair game because digital books are still perceived as something that only the well-off are pursuing. If someone is willing to spend a $100 just to be in the game, that separates them economically from those who wont or can't. So I think publishers care very little if they piss off Library patrons. They don't perceive them as potential customers.
Penguin and their like want to profit on the resurgence of reading thanks to ereaders. I can only hope that Random House's decision not assume a stance of economic prejudice leads to increased sales and decreased piracy. If this happens the other publishers will be falling all over themselves in their rush back into public libraries .
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