I personally believe a symphonic (and other musical instrument) sample library might be a worthwhile acquisition.
They are an necessary ingredient in modern music creation, are relatively cheap to create (1 million was needed to create the Vienna Symphonic Library which is the 'top of the line') yet are extremely expensive to purchase ($4790 for the VSL Complete Orchestral Package http://www.ilio.com/vienna/index.html ) (Or the East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra - http://www.soundsonline.com/EWQLSO-Platinum-Bundle-pr-EW-155PROB1.html lists for $4,490.00) Even at the lowest end of the symphonic sample library offerings (far more limited sampling in both breadth and depth of instruments; as well as a recording of only a small subset of each instruments capabilities) - the Garritan Personal Orchestra is 200$ http://www.garritan.com/
Those prices are per seat cost, so a school interested in allowing each student in a 20 computer class to work on their own orchestration is looking at nearly 100,000$ in sample library costs which is obviously cost prohibitive. (Of course I'm sure there must be school discounts, etc. however how many schools would be willing or able to afford even a single seat at list price?).
Providing sampling libraries would be a major enabler for the unleashing of creativity and potential among individuals desiring to create music across the world. Perhaps doing for music creation what the printing press did for reading.
Tom M.