I think Alex is right.
One thing must happen first.
Display technologies are harder to read than the printed word. Display technologies will need to improve before then and become more cost effective. The electric paper or e-reader devices now available represent the beginning of this. When this technology becomes more effective and internet access is even more deeply embedded in our culture than it is, there will be very little reason to make visits to public libraries.
Once this has happened the transformation of public libraries into internet cafes/community centres will be complete.
Academic libraries will fare better, but I don't have time to write much more.
Best wishes,
David Kane
WIT Libraries
http://library.wit.ie/
++353.51302838
Received on Mon Sep 03 2007 - 09:56:32 EDT