Starting in 2020, in response to the Macmillan embargo, libraries began to pursue legislative solutions to the unconstrained and unsustainable increases in prices and restrictions on digital library books. The position papers below, by Readers First Working Group member Carmi Parker, delineate in detail the rationale for legislation and the evolution of publisher restrictions.
eLending Legislation Position Paper
Published June 17, 2022
This paper primarily targets school and public librarians who collect digital books and who are interested in the legislative advocacy to enable the same access to digital books that libraries have to print, including print-like prices. Excerpts of the content may also be useful in educating legislative aides who have questions about proposed digital library book legislation. Finally, publishers, authors, and booksellers may wish to understand library advocates’ rationale for pursuing legislative solutions.
Download the eLending Legislation Position Paper
eLending Position Paper
Updated December 2, 2020
This paper proposes a single licensing model for digital library books that aligns with print but optionally enables the unique capabilities of eLending: perpetual licenses and concurrent use. The model enables:
improved flexibility, which will help libraries better support the healthy culture of reading valued by both libraries and publishers
no significant cost increase for libraries or revenue decrease for publishers
In addition to introducing the model, the paper describes the evolution of license terms since 2011 for eBooks and eAudiobooks, analyzes the impact of the model changes on collections, and suggests how adjustments might benefit both publishers and libraries. Finally, it submits recommendations for moving forward.