[geekdesigngirl]

I've got to disagree. Libraries are not just a book repository. They are community centers and often the location of free or low-cost workshops. They are places to bring your kids on a Saturday to listen to stories. And librarians are a vast treasure trove of information. Libraries also provide free internet to those who don't have it, access to computers to those without. I take for granted the 3 computers I own with the internet connection that is always available but this is still considered a luxury.

As for losing the print editions or print editions being based on the digital ones, I certainly hope not. I can't imagine sitting in front of my laptop, or holding a nook, or reading on an iPad for hours. But that's my personal feelings and often see people on the T with their ebook readers.

[nickpinkston]

Yea, they really need to emphasize the community center / place of learning aspect. Dale Dougherty from MakeZine was discussing how we might start to including a workshop for making things in a library. If you guys haven't seen http://techshop.ws - I think it's a great model what libraries could incorporate into their services to maintain relevance.