Are you sure this is the libraries? Remember, with physical books you had the right to resell them and do whatever you wanted with them. Licensing for ebooks is much much more complicated.
Libraries, at least in the US have always represented everything I believe is pure and good. They fought the Patriot Act, they regularly fight book banning and censorship. They represent openness and community. As a youth I practically lived in libraries, using the computers and reading books while waiting in line for my next turn. They have been safe havens for everyone to hang out. Home for D&D groups, chess teams, welcoming to children and the homeless. I don't think they would intentionally choose to be anti patron the way you describe, if anything perhaps it is out of their control.
Unless libraries in the UK are different
