Leading Public Library Groups Call for E-book Action
ULC, PLA, CULC/CBUC, COSLA, ARSL, seek sustainable pricing for digital access for all readers
As community demand continues to ramp up, organizations representing the vast majority of North American public libraries today released a joint statement calling for change in licensing for digital content. The explosion in usage is straining public library budgets and dragging down wait lists for readers in ways that are not sustainable.
While libraries are able to purchase physical books and lend them indefinitely, digital content is typically licensed to libraries for a limited time, check-out limit, or both. And, while consumers pay $13 for an e-book on average, libraries typically spend magnitudes more for a two-year license, often $55 or more.
“Publishers, authors, and public libraries should be partners, but with the exponential growth in digital content demand, libraries are unable to provide and sustain access under current licensing models. The moment is ripe for large publishers to meet with libraries across North America, to hear our concerns, and address them, so we can continue building a mutually beneficial future for literacy and reading.”
— Brooks Rainwater, President and CEO, Urban Libraries Council (ULC)
“America’s public libraries are critical to digital discovery of authors and titles, as well as literacy builders and champions. Libraries will pay a fair price for fair services to be able to deliver equitable access to the universe of information and creative works for all readers. Libraries must be able to lend and preserve content in all its forms to advance literacy and learning with partners across the publishing ecosystem.”
–Dr. Brandy McNeil, President, Public Library Association (PLA)
“Canadian public libraries are some of the most prolific lenders of e-books in the world. They are an essential way that readers and authors connect. But in order to play our role in the literacy ecosystem, our libraries need a fair deal that preserves our ability to provide this access well into the future – while maintaining our role as responsible stewards of taxpayer funds.” — Mary Chevreau, Executive Director, Canadian Urban Library Council / Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada (CULC/CBUC)
“We are calling for library-friendly solutions on e-books as demand has only soared in recent years. Libraries of all sizes need affordable and equitable access to these materials, with models that reflect how important libraries are to encouraging reading and promoting authors.” — Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)
“For many small and rural communities, e-books are a lifeline that help keep patrons of all ages connected to their love of reading. But with limited budgets, offering e-books at these prices has become unsustainable, and for many small libraries, impossible. Libraries need pricing models that are more in line with what they pay for their other materials to ensure they can fulfill their core missions of providing access to books and information for those who need them most.” — Kate Laughlin, Executive Director, The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)
As one example reported in the Denver Post, “When ‘Onyx Storm’ by Rebecca Yarros was released on Jan. 31, Jefferson County Public Libraries spent $3,300 on 166 print copies of the new release. The library then spent $22,000 on roughly 360 e-books, at three times the cost per copy.” Not only are e-books orders of magnitude more expensive than print books, public libraries currently support multiple formats simultaneously to meet diverse user needs and preferences, including print, digital, and audio.
The public library organizations call on large publishers and platform providers to come to the table to work with public libraries to identify and implement sustainable solutions.
Read the entire statement here.
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is an innovation and action tank of North America’s leading public library systems. We drive cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions. We identify significant challenges facing today’s communities and develop new tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, workforce and economic development, and equity. Learn more about our e-books advocacy.
The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. PLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. Information about ALA e-book advocacy is here.
The Canadian Urban Libraries Council/Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada (CULC/CBUC) represents 50+ of the largest public library systems in Canada, along with Library and Archives Canada and the Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Québec. CULC’s mission is to facilitate advocacy, collaboration, and research that strengthens and promotes the value of Canada’s urban libraries. We envision a country where urban libraries are recognized as integral to a vibrant democracy, a strong economy, and thriving communities.
The Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) is an independent organization of the chief officers of state and territorial agencies designated as the state library administrative agency and responsible for statewide library development. Its purpose is to provide leadership on issues of common concern and national interest; to further state library agency relationships with federal government and national organizations; and to initiate cooperative action for the improvement of library services to the people of the United States.
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) builds strong communities through advocacy, professional development, and elevating the impact of rural and small libraries. As the premier organization representing this community, ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of rural and small libraries and is committed to providing an environment of excellence, supporting their goals of service, and speaking on behalf of this important constituency.
Tags: ARSL, collectiondevelopment, cosla, culc/cbuc, digitalaccess, ebooks, equitableaccess, libraryadvocacy, licensingmodels, PLA, publiclibraries, readingandliteracy, rurallibraries, ulc
