Connecticut Has Launched a Bill

Joining Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, and of course Maryland (where the AAP lawsuit over the law continues against the state) and New York (where the Governor vetoed the legislation), legislators in Connecticut have now put forth an ebook bill.

Fairfield’s HamletHub has covered a press conference on the event.

One particular pressure point is the cost of providing electronic materials, which are far higher than those associated with print books. With more people borrowing eBooks and audiobooks than ever, this is the time to talk about ways we can support our libraries’ collections and their bottom lines,” said CT State Librarian Deborah Schander.

Libraries regularly pay four to five times what consumers pay for the same eBooks and then are forced to rebuy the same titles every year, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars over the life of a single eBook and making a robust eBook collection out of reach for many libraries. Publishers have been taking advantage of libraries and taxpayers for far too long, and I applaud Senator Hwang for bringing the public’s attention to this critical issue of access and equity for Connecticut residents," said Ellen Paul, Executive Director of the Connecticut Library Consortium.

“Libraries are pillars in our communities, connecting residents to one another, resources, and information,” Rep. McCarthy Vahey said. “Countless community members rely on these vital resources daily, which makes it critical to commit to securing sufficient funding for Connecticut libraries.”

Senator Hwang emphasized “I am deeply concerned over the mounting challenges that Connecticut’s libraries face to provide internet access, educational programs, physical library materials and digital resources. These are issues of social equity, access and accessibility. Libraries provide a way for seniors to leave their at-home isolation as well as a way for new families to connect with their child’s future classmates in town. No matter your age, social economic background and informational needs, I am here to say that I love our libraries.”

Inspiring!

Some of the language in the bill is new and different from that of other states. Providing titles “Upon the request of any library in this state” is new language and helpfully eliminates and of the (frankly ridiculous) claims that have been brought forward of individuals laying in wait to attack publishers under other state laws. "’Reasonable terms’ means purchase or licensing specifications that consider publishers' business models as well as libraries' efficient use of funds in providing library services” could still be called vague but can still be argued as valid in any legal challenge and softens other language somewhat by noting that fair treatment is considered vital. No language seems to forestall an AAP legal challenge based on preemption, but this addition to the growing list of states is indeed welcome!

RF thanks Rep. Vahey, Sen. Hwang, and the librarians of Connecticut for their great work. Welcome to the fight. It is a long and difficult one, but libraries will prevail. We owe library readers nothing less than total effort.