We were poor when I was a kid - but I found the library.
I bought my first book (paperback) with money from my first job. If I couldn't afford my reader (and I would give up A LOT to afford it) I would be back to the library. When I was at the library, I knew there were people buying those books to have them for their own, but that was so far beyond where I was, I just thanked my lucky stars you didn't have to buy a membership in the library. Cause no way would my parents spring for that!
The libraries are buying into electronic reading - I can see them loaning out readers, once someone figures out to make one durable enough for patrons.