I see old-style books becoming 2 things.

1]Boutique items like records [LP's].
2] Quaint leftovers to send to the 'pooer folks', who just can't afford a kindle/ipad.

Libraries may become largely banks of computer terminals. That trend is already starting in my libraries.

I'll be happy to take the "quaint leftovers". Send them to me!

And the last is an unwelcome "advancement". What's the point of a library if you can get the same information in your home?

By the way, it's great to see you posting again, lindil!

Unfortunately I can say that libraries are becoming more and more just places to use computers. I work in the High School and Middle Schools libraries at my school one class period a day and there are entire classes that come in and don't know how to use a reference book or find a book on the shelves if I tell them that it's under F DIX or 788.5 NOD for instance. No, they just run straight to the computer. :rolleyes:

Though in the past couple of weeks Lord of the Rings has been checked out more than it usually is, so that may be a sign of hope. :D

this is sad