timrichards, 
I'm not too bothered by this. Libraries have other roles than lending books nowadays; the increased study space is much needed.
Melbourne City Library: Book collection culled as shelving reduced to make way for more meeting spaces
#Melbourne https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pulped-fiction-thousands-of-library-books-removed-as-collection-culled-20240509-p5jb7a.html