Library alarm bells went off in reaction to the decision by publisher HarperCollins to cap lending of e-books to a limited number of circulations per copy purchased. The restriction would limit the per-copy check-outs to 26, a number The New York Times suggests would enable the book to last a year. With budgets perennially under stress, American Library Association President Roberta Stevens stated, "The announcement, at a time when libraries are struggling to remain open and staffed, is of grave concern. This new limitation means that fewer people will have access to an increasingly important format for delivering information."
No book-lover would argue the value of libraries and free book access. But in an attempt to remind publishers of libraries' worth "as a vehicle to reach and grow diverse audiences" beyond the estimated 7% - 9% of book sales, the ALA credited its member libraries with helping boost Eat, Pray, Love up the bestseller lists through their ebook lending. (About 66% of public libraries provide ebook access to their constituents, up from 38% three years ago.)
But there are many considerations in the rapidly changing ebook marketplace. Sensibly, Stevens called for "Crafting 21st century solutions for equitable access to information while ensuring authors and publishers have a fair return on their investments," while assuring the same level of availability for library patrons.
Images: Barnes & Noble; Lifesize / Getty Images
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