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What a warped viewpoint. It's extremely rare that I'll shell out money to see a movie, it has to be something truly exceptional. Otherwise I'll just wait until it comes to cable and watch it in the comfort of my own home. But on the other hand, I freely purchase books to read and often since I then own them (yes, I'm ignoring the whole "but it's only a license" issue... a book is a book is a book).
I still also make use of my public library quite often too. Not to "cheat" the author as he feels libraries do, but simply because I can't afford to buy everything I want to read. And what do you do for out-of-print books? Hunt down a rare copy of a used hard cover? The author doesn't get a penny of that sale.
Not everyone reads a lot as well. I know people who shell out for movie tickets at least once a week but never pick up a book. Comparing his loss of book sales to that crowd wouldn't net him any book income either.
And looking back as a kid, I can't imagine growing up without my public library. I don't think I'd be such an avid reader today without them. I'd like to still know that kids can read whenever they want, whether they take a trip there or download the content. Not every family can afford to buy books, and it would be a shame for children to lose out the most without public libraries.
Let him withhold his books from libraries. There's plenty of other content to read. And plenty of other authors I will buy from.
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