Why are the waiting lists for library e-books so long?

peter.suber's bookmarks 2019-10-13

Summary:

"If you haven’t visited your local public library lately, you might not realize that you no longer need to physically drop by to check out a book or a movie.

 

Thousands of public libraries now let their members check out e-books they can download on their smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. They also lend digital audiobooks anyone can listen to as they commute and streaming online movies to view on a computer, phone, or smart TV. Like other public library materials, they’re generally available for free to anyone with a library card....

This summer, publishing giant Macmillan announced that starting November 1, library systems will only be able to buy one digital copy of every book for the first eight weeks that it’s out....

Macmillan’s move drew criticism from major libraries and the American Library Association, which launched an online petition urging Macmillan not to implement the policy. So far, it’s drawn more than 89,000 signatures, but Macmillan hasn’t announced any changes to the program yet. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment...."

Link:

https://www.fastcompany.com/90404633/battle-for-the-future-e-books-at-the-local-library

From feeds:

Open Access Tracking Project (OATP) » peter.suber's bookmarks

Tags:

oa.new oa.books oa.librararies oa.libraries.public oa.obstacles oa.macmillan oa.copyright oa.cdl

Date tagged:

10/13/2019, 09:33

Date published:

10/13/2019, 05:33