(If the argument is that subsidizing books helps the poor, I’m all for it, a nonprofit or a charity would be a much better framework)
This is the public sector M.O, instead of admitting something is obsolete they grab more scope and funding.
My local post office now sells iPhones. And why shouldn’t they? Nobody stopped them when they just sold SIM cards, and then cases and chargers. It’s like a law of nature.