However, libraries are good for growing a readership. They get books in the hands of people that will not think to buy them at a store. They also host smaller authors for events and can promote less known books. They keep the back catalog going for longer than most bookstores.

Oh, I can see the reality is very different there, then. PLR is supposed to compensate authors for the loss in sales, essentially. A quick search tells me there was a campaign to implement a similar scheme in the US, but I guess it didn't take off.

Small business isn't nearly as politicised in the UK; indie bookshops certainly don't make enough revenue to make significant contributions to political parties, as they're usually a labour of love. Amazon's destroying traditional bookshops everywhere, so I always advocate for readers to remember them whenever possible.