That's a shame on 2 counts. The first is that while internet can be a great research and learning tool, books are (and will be) very important also. But I fear that since it's cheaper for a school to encourage the use of internet than to keep an up-to-date library, the use of books will decline.

The second count is that, like you experienced, not every familly can afford a computer and an internet connection. Not to mention that schools are often not well equiped in computers and libraries are not very accessibles. So that will be another factor that will increase further the gap between the rich and the poors.

>While libraries are typically free, there is a problem when due to funding problems (here a LOT of state funding problems exist and it trickles down to the county level) those libraries are open only limited hours. Add to that the requirement for students in 3rd, 4th, 5th... grades to do web research and printout their reports in word format. Parents rely on the libraries more for their computer resources than the books they hold these days. I can not count the number of parents that come to my house with their children to use our computers for homework because they cannot afford a computer and an internet connection and the libraries are NOT open evenings anylonger. The schools themselves are pushing kids away from books and onto the computer...