The points raised in this article are valid. There is a really need to study and understand the effect of having a huge amount of information readily available online versus the physical need to have books on shelves. Even as we build larger libraries, it is hard to fill all the gaps, especially as new and unique ideas pop up on line constantly (such as Extreme Ironing and other such endevours).
Regarding the users, the public library does have a problem in that our patrons are a wide range of personalities. There are many library users who have little or no interest in technology, so books will remain their primary focus. However, the younger crowd are more and more comfortable with the technology, so we should work harder to accomidate them. Finding the balance is important.
Now with higher fuel prices, visits to the physical library may go down for most people. This will place a greater emphasis on electronic access. It would be great to see a Second Life style site for the library system. However, it is highly doubtful that the physical library would ever go away, since many people need to have the face-to-face interaction that does not exist in the virtual world.
Anyhow, please enjoy the amusing comic below (click on it for a larger view):
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