Funny you say that. I've read similar things before and the arguments are persuasive. Libraries are one of our best allies in working out the DRM problems. Even against the power of the RIAA, MPAA, publishers, etc.
When documents go digital, if they stay with DRM like we have currently, then even libraries can't guarantee that the books will be available to patrons in the future, and that's something that might generate some groundswell of interest for the issue. But it's the same problem as individuals have. Libraries will, hopefully, join together and be very active and vocal in fighting the fundamental attack on the ability of libraries to serve us.
Unfortunately, we might just end up with special library editions that have a special DRM which expires in, say, 10yrs, or has a library-only key that can be used in the future only if the digital edition is not usable. Or some similar restriction. DRM can actually be pretty flexible. It's the mechanism and compatibility problems and the particular settings that are chosen that make it hard on the consumer.
Hey, if we could get a universal e-book format and DRM for consumers that expires in 2 yrs from purchase, we'd be all set, and I think the full fledged e-book revolution might be here almost immediately. But not likely.
