Libraries Without Books

Ever since e-books began to assert their dominance, people have been talking about the library of the future: a bookless place about books. And as ill-conceived as the idea will appear to booklovers nearly everywhere, Bexar County, Texas is about to lead the way to a brave yet strangely bookless new library. This coming fall they will open Bibliotech, the first completely digital public library in the United States. From My San Antonio:

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff is an unabashed book lover with 1,000 first editions in his private collection, but even he sees the writing on the wall.

Paper books have lost their allure, and future generations may have little use for them, Wolff contends. 

So when he embarked on a mission to create a countywide library system, he decided it should be bookless from the start.

Wolff credits late Apple founder Steve Jobs and the Apple Store or inspiring Bibliotech.

Inspired while reading Apple founder Steve Jobs' biography, Wolff said he envisions several bookless libraries around the county, including in far-flung suburbs. 

“It's not a replacement for the (city) library system, it's an enhancement,” Wolff said.“People are always going to want books, but we won't be doing that in ours,” Wolff said.

You can read more here.