[onewayherway]

There are already free versions of books available at libraries. I know of many people who know our library has their favorite authors books on the shelf but they still want to buy books instead. I will definetly be purchasing ebooks once I get an ereader even though I can borrow for free. I will download free books as well. There is something about owning the books you love and going back to them again and again but I don't have room in my house for all the books I read. The library has been a help with this but ours can't possibly buy all the books I want to read.
In recent years the cost of hardcover fiction has gotten way to high in Canada and our library will not buy them unless they are discounted at a store such as Costco. Hardcover non-fiction is still bought but still rarely at list price.
There will always be people who buy books in paper even as they become more affordable in ebook form. I am the only person I know even considering an ereader most will stick to paper.
One has to look at all forms of creativity in it's own right. Music is listened to over and over again by each person. A book may only be read once and then passed on to others. Movies are watched once in awhile but like a book if good will be watched again. Newpapers have always been about what is current and the same with magazines.
Ebooks offer an opportunity to publishers and writers to actually sell more not less because cost does matter when purchasing. Newpapers and magazines are at more peril because their value is mostly short term.