I always thought the purpose of library was to provide a study space, where study materials are easily accessible, as well as plenty of equipment. In fact, tha

I always thought the purpose of library was to provide a study space, where study materials are easily accessible, as well as plenty of equipment. In fact, that's the definition of my local library. Lots of tables, chairs and computers. Students go there to have group study sessions. People with no access to internet (tourists, elderly, the poor) go to library to use the internet. Now that house prices are growing (as it is here in Australia), living spaces per person will begin to decline, and people may begin to rely more on public spaces. (my thinking) After reading the article, one could argue this is what a traditional CEO would do with a library if it was a company - reduce the number of declining businesses, increase the number of growing businesses. Books & collections are no longer as needed - only keep the ones not easily accessible on the internet (e.g. historical local newspapers dating back a hundred years). Free up space for others to come and study. I guess that's not really the way to go, but since my local library was recently rebuilt in a brand new building, in the middle of a brand new public square, it has absolutely nothing to worry about[1]. [1] Neither do frogs placed into a pot of water, placed onto a stove a mere second ago.