In February HarperCollins announced that its ebooks could only be checked out by library patrons 26 times per title, after which a library would need to re-purchase an ebook in order to continue lending it out. A ruckus ensued: Library Journal reports that in response, some libraries have said they will stop purchasing all new HarperCollins ebooks, period. To add some bigger-picture perspective, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster have yet to offer libraries their books in the ebook format at all, and other publishers are continuing the longstanding policy of allowing libraries to purchase ebooks in perpetuity.
Publishers don’t want to see revenue disappear because people can simply get ebooks free through libraries, without ever leaving home. And authors, of course, stand to lose out in a world where there are fewer sales and lower royalty payments. In a broader sense, libraries are concerned about the effect of ebooks on their mission.
All this will likely take a good deal of wrangling. As lovers of books, libraries, and a fair shake for authors, one thing we can all do is support our community libraries and local bookstores.
We’d love to know what you think about this controversy, and welcome all creative suggestions.
As a library assistant, avid reader, and owner of an ereader, I understand why this controversy is brewing. When I first got the ereader as a gift, I thought I would never use it. I love the feel of books, turning from the cover to the back, opening it and reading the inside of the jacket, and then the first page…how can I do this with a flat impersonal computer? Then I waited for my first book for the ereader from the library and I found that I liked being able to have my place saved and never losing a bookmark, I could set the font size, and reading in bed no longer bothers my husband or my hands as I try to hold a book so I can see what is in the center by the fold. But I still check out books from the library. And these books are not returned to the publisher after 26 patrons check them out. Libraries provide services to everyone, whether they can afford the latest technology or not. And therefore the hard copy of a book will be available for everyone in that library. We have to think of all readers and all economic levels, and not leave out anyone who wants to read the latest bestseller for the first time or the classic that has always thrilled them.
I wish there was some way I could support my local bookstore while buying ebooks–they are just so convenient. I thought I would miss the physical book, and I do occasionally (when I want to go back to something I have already read, mostly), but I really don’t notice that much. In fact, when I read a paper book after I have been using my Nook, I actually find myself unconsciously putting my finger over to the side of the book when I am done with a page, and I am a bit shocked when the words in front of me don’t change! Which is to say, it is easy to focus on the book and the words and forget the format.
As to how to support authors, I am all for that, and I do buy ebooks when I can (and I wish I could more–I am impatient for books to be convereted and offered electronically), but I do use the library, too. In fact, I bought the Nook rather than the Kindle because of the ability to check out library books. But you know what might be interesting? A Netflix like subscription service, where you pay a small fee to access books for as long as you like, but only 1 or 2 at a time, or more titles for higher fees. I would pay for that.
There’s zero evidence that library lending hurts book sales; on the contrary, it builds readership and promotes sales. The same is true of used bookstores and the ability of people to lend the physical books they’ve purchased to their friends. Publishers who have embraced technological change rather than fighting it, publishers as different as Baen Books and National Academies Press, have found that cheap or free access to ebooks boosts rather than hurts sales of hardcopy books.
This isn’t about library ebook lending hurting book sales; it’s about publishers’ fear of new technology and the terrible temptation to follow the disastrous example of the music industry, which was headed for complete collapse before the Apple iTunes store made music available at reasonable cost, and which still thinks it’s a good idea to sue its customers.
The publisher does not make the library buy a new book after it is taken out 26 times so why should the ebook version be any different.
I love my e reader. I did not think I would after I got it for a gift. But I do!
so cool!
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