The truth is that libraries provide a means to rent FREE or almost free books. Without a requirement to have an ipad or ebook reader, or anything. Don't close them, in fact open more in poor neighborhoods.

If you want to reduce number of libraries, get iphone/android/ebook reader/pc/mac/etc apps that work like a regular library would work: The library has a license to rent out x number of books, you "rent" the book digitally, use it, "return" it which allows someone else to rent it. Would be nice if google did that since google already scanned all them books.