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I have to agree with the comments about large personal libraries being a thing of "show" and a total waste of resources. Don't get me wrong - I love paper books and have many myself, but I believe e-books can:
1. Get into more people's hands if e-readers come down in price. Paper books can be almost $30 for new hardcover
2. Save paper and trees and resources (though there are resources used in e-books too so it isn't a total save)
a. How many print books are sitting on bookstore shelves that never get sold or used and eventually get thrown out - what a waste. No "extra" e-books lying around.
3. New distribution methods can be developed like online libraries that again will allow more information to get into more people's hands.
4. Better tools to use the books more effectively - search, tagging, bookmarks, notes, etc. I have books on my shelf that just sit there because there is no easy way to access them on a regular basis (e.g. I am a Lutheran Pastor, I use commentaries to study the Bible, I like to use Luther's Works at times too. Print version of Luther's Works - over $1500 for the 55 volume set. Have it on the computer for $200 and can search the whole set in seconds - same with commentaries. Now I use them more than if I just had the print books.
Well, enough said - print and ebooks should exist together!
Pastor Mike
Colorado
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