Keep in mind there's one other problem with digitization: a lack of ownership. The law does not recognize any concept of digital sale: all digital copies are licensed property of the publisher[0], and it is not possible to legally sell them. This gives publishers the ability to retroactively wipe libraries' catalogs on the basis that they own them.
Yes, this isn't a problem with public domain works; but those have bigger preservation problems. DRM is a self-inflicted wound.
[0] I resisted the urge to write "author" here as American copyright is assignable. It shouldn't be, because this assignability is usually demanded up-front by publishers.
Yes, this isn't a problem with public domain works; but those have bigger preservation problems. DRM is a self-inflicted wound.
[0] I resisted the urge to write "author" here as American copyright is assignable. It shouldn't be, because this assignability is usually demanded up-front by publishers.