I know physical is the way to go, but even buying a hard-drive you can back stuff onto then finding .pdfs of tech manuals, Dr Seuss books and other actually learned material is also a way to go, just make sure to back it up.

Remember, after the fall of Rome, the catholic church at the time hoarded the knowledge of reading and writing, thus having a monopoly of learned materials during the dark age and because they were learned they also drew attention because local peasants who couldn't afford to read and write would get a priest to help with local trade deals, I think. My analogy stands, when everyone around you becomes a peasant, you must be that priest, only then can you make a difference.