Those books are read by a subculture. Characterized by throw-away experiences and rapid turnover, who always want another book but never for long.

I argue, that's not most of us. That's kids and bored stay-at-homes.

I understand that libraries are struggling, but they've mutated by simply following a demographic into a hole. Instead of trying to be more relevant to the rest of us.

You must raelly love that one book, to have it define your entire philosophy around public libraries and the valuelessness of people who like other books.

You don't think your library keeps circulation statistics on each item and plans accordingly? It sounds an awful lot like you're personally insulted that your library caters to people who have different preferences than you.

Read it all again. Its not about preferences. Its about being a library (repository of knowledge available to all) vs just being a day-care center for a thin demographic.

Then you're confusing the mission of a public library and a research library, it seems like you're describing and desiring the latter.