3 ms·

Even if they were digitized, not everyone has an electronic device able to consume digital content like that.

• abstractbeliefs 10y ago
  So imagine instead a library where every book ever written was stored digitally, and the library had an automated print and bind station. So to begin with, the library would be empty shelves, perhaps taking some books off the load of nearby similar libraries. When you come in, you can look for the book you want. If it's not on the shelf, you order a print, and in half an hour it's ready. Take it, read it, return it. It goes on the shelf. When the shelves get full, recycle the materials of the least used, or redistribute the books to where they appear more in demand. Now, access to e-readers is no longer a problem, and any book you want can become available in hard print, and we solve the space problem by simply regarding shelf space as a cache for the most in demand books. Additionally, when books become worn, damaged, or unnecessary, we can reuse the materials.
  • lsaferite 10y ago
    Or loan out some dirt cheap e-readers.
    • digler999 10y ago
      exactly. they could have locked-down library-only e-readers that only show the books you checked out.
      • DanBC 10y ago
        Locked down library only ereaders do exist - the Playaway Lock: http://playaway.com/lock/ http://playaway.com/lock/