An NPR story looking at the challenges of libraries in the digital age

The Future Of Libraries In The E-Book Age

A lot of attention has been focused on the way bookstores and publishing companies are managing the e-book revolution. The role of libraries has often been overlooked. But when HarperCollins Publishing Co. recently announced a new policy that would limit the number of times its e-books can be borrowed, it sparked a larger conversation about the future of libraries in the digital age.

Good article about the HarperCollins situation

and some very intelligent comments, as well.

Publisher Limits Shelf Life for Library E-Books

Imagine the perfect library book. Its pages don’t tear. Its spine is unbreakable. It can be checked out from home. And it can never get lost.

The value of this magically convenient library book — otherwise known as an e-book — is the subject of a fresh and furious debate in the publishing world. For years, public libraries building their e-book collections have typically done so with the agreement from publishers that once a library buys an e-book, it can lend it out, one reader at a time, an unlimited number of times.

Last week, that agreement was upended by HarperCollins Publishers when it began enforcing new restrictions on its e-books, requiring that books be checked out only 26 times before they expire. Assuming a two-week checkout period, that is long enough for a book to last at least one year.

Excellent demonstration of what HarperCollins' policy means to libraries

“The Virtual Library of the Pioneer Library System decided to take a look at the print editions of HarperCollins titles.

We ask the question, What does wear and tear look like on a print book? Is 26 checkouts a realistic standard to apply to ebooks?

Visit our Open Letter to the Publisher to know our thoughts

http://bit.ly/e0SeBi

Let HarperCollins know what you think.”

Thanks to David Rothman for the link.

HarperCollins strikes back

An Open Letter to Librarians

It's the blog, called, ironicaly, 'Library Love Fest', written by Josh Marwell, President of Sales of HarperCollins Publishers.

Personally I think the comments are better reading, but there you go. Thanks to Blake at LISNews for the link.

A stranglehold on libraries in some weird attempt to make more money

Check out: http://www.boycottharpercollins.com/

Why a boycott?

HarperCollins Puts 26 Loan Cap on Ebook Circulations

What imprints are included in the boycott?

Amistad, Avon, Avon A, Avon Inspire, Avon Red, Balzer + Bray, Caedmon, Collins, Ecco, Eos, Greenwillow Books, Harper, Harper Business, Harper Design, Harper Paperbacks, Harper Perennial, Harper Perennial Modern Classics, HarperAudio, HarperBibles, HarperCollins Children's Audio, HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperCollins e-Books, HarperFestival, HarperLuxe, HarperOne, HarperTeen, ItBooks, Katherine Tegen Books, Rayo, Walden Pond Press, and William Morrow.

Here's a sample letter.

Here's an eBook reader's Bill of Rights.

Want links to what various librarians have written on the subject? Check out:

Publishing Industry Forces OverDrive and Other Library eBook Vendors to Take a Giant Step Back