Comment by WalterBright

Around here, the library buildings are new, large, modern, and spacious. Those buildings were expensive to construct.

They lack books, though. The shelves are low, widely spaced, and don't occupy much of the floor space.

http://www.buildingwork.design/projects/kenmore-library/

I've long since given up even looking for books there. I just go buy them.

Contrast this with Half Price Books:

http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/image.aspx?f=1&guid=ae61a8...

It's crammed with books. (The picture barely does that justice.)