COMMENTARY

For several years, publishers have been trying to decide what role libraries have in the sale of electronic books.
Most eBooks are digital resources that libraries purchase licensed access to, rather than buying the actual file. This means that libraries don’t really own the digital version of a title.
In addition, many publishers have put restrictions on eBooks that libraries “purchase.” A book that I as a private citizen can purchase for $12 to $25 can cost the library as much as three or four times more, even though it is the same book.
Some publishers will charge libraries as much as $60 for a title that has been published in the last 12 months and $40 for anything published 12 or more months ago. That same publisher then limits the number of times that eBook can be checked out, making them available for 52 check-outs or 2 years, whichever comes first.
Other lending limits imposed by publishers include access for 1 year or 26 loans before the title must be purchased again.
Random House of Penguin Random House allows books from Random House to be loaned under a perpetual licensing agreement.
So far I’ve only mentioned the purchase of and lending of specific titles. I haven’t even mentioned the platform fees associated with the software that allows patrons to download the books. This fee can run up to $10,000 per year. Fortunately we were able to offer our platform at a slightly lower rate than that, but then we still have to purchase the books.
For awhile, libraries weren’t allowed to purchase current, popular titles from some publishers and had to wait up to six months to add them to their electronic collection. I’m happy to see that trend change and publishers offering full access to most of their catalog of titles.
Public libraries have always provided no-fee access to reading materials, no matter what the format, to foster educational opportunities for everyone. For publishers to deny library patrons access to eBooks that are available to consumers is to discriminate against library patrons.
Through lending print and electronic materials, libraries encourage the discovery of new authors, topics and genres. We help authors get noticed, whether it’s through book discussions, author events or by highlighting them in displays. Libraries provide access to books to people who cannot afford to purchase them.
This access should be available to everyone regardless of financial or other special circumstances. When libraries are able to support lending of electronic books, they support digital literacy. Because the technology changes so rapidly, libraries can help patrons develop the skills and navigate digital resources, too.
We are working on making our eBook collection a more accessible collection. We’ve recently added the capability of downloading them straight from the catalog rather than having to navigate to a separate page.
We also continue to add more titles to the collection.
I hope you’ll explore our eBook collection and let us know what we can do to make it better.

MJ Wilkerson is director of Alamance County Public Libraries. Contact her at [email protected] or (336) 229-3588.