Destroying... Knowledge?!

Confession: I'm having a hard time throwing out my parents' beloved encyclopedia (currently stored in our dark basement)!

Nobody wants encyclopedias - you can't even give them away.

Everyone goes online for the latest information, as do I. (I've gotten rid of a few dictionaries for the same reason!) But I'm having a hard time parting with these books of knowledge...

What is the power goes out? What if the internet is ever permanently down?! (Are these reasonable fears to have?!!)

Confession: I feel as guilty as "barbarians" who destroy libraries in times of war - whenever I think about recycling the paper in these old books!