The problem is that many of these libraries are underfunded. Not enough new books are being added. All the books that I have needed over the last couple of years I can never find them in a library. I've pretty much stopped relying on libraries and just go straight to Amazon if I really need a book. The additional funding could be used to buy more books or provide more services. At least I hope.
With the rise of the internet you can get almost any information you need from your computer. I haven't had the need to go and do research in a library for a long time.
> The problem is that many of these libraries are underfunded.
No kidding. People hate taxes, though.
Public libraries generally aren't going to be interested in stocking extremely niche-y technical books, anyway. (For that, try academic/research libraries.) Individual collections are stocked to meet the needs of the local patrons, and something that is 1) expensive, 2) only relevant for one person, and 3) likely to be obsolete in three years is not a high priority.
With the rise of the internet you can get almost any information you need from your computer. I haven't had the need to go and do research in a library for a long time.