Martin - great discussion point. I've been thinking about the possibilities for the last day or two, and have come up with four possibilities / suggestions.
1. The books are donated to GCA.com, where an auction could take place, and the recipients will obviously value them, and pay a reasonably appropriate price for them, with proceeds going to the upkeep of golfclubatlas.com
2. They could be gifted to Cabot Links, or alternatively, we could build a register of Clubs with libraries, where the access and safety of books is deemed appropriate by the forum members here. For example, I know Royal Melbourne cherishes their library, and manages it very well. Perhaps a Club without a library, but a Club we think could be an appropriate custodian might get the foundation of a library from GCAers generosity.
3. Those books of particular title and topic could be periodically forwarded to an appropriate Society. For example, books on MacKenzie could go to the MacKenzie Society. Ross likewise, and same with Colt, Tillinghast etc.
4. Martin - arguably my finest idea, is that you purchase a modest shop front not far from the first tee of the Old Course, and run a small wine bar. All the books go there. The books may be read while drinking, and dining on the modest but appropriate menu, but books must not be removed from the bar. With a strong local property market, I propose GCA chips in, purchases the shop front for you, and holds the asset in trust, for the benefit of future GCA members...
MM