Paperback books wear out more quickly than hardcover books do, but paperback books cost much less. Ttherefore, users of public libraries would be better served if public libraries bought only paperback books, since by so doing these libraries could increase the number of new book titles added to their collections without increasing their budgets.
The statement "Library users as a group depend on their public library for access to a wide variety of up-to-date reference books that are published in hardcover only" most seriously weakens the argument.