eBooks and Libraries

You may have noticed that our ebook selection is pretty limited.  While we are actively growing our ebook collection, we are limited in collecting many titles because publishers simply will not sell to us.  Publishers are worried that if they sell ebooks to libraries, they will lose money.  Currently two publishers will sell ebooks to libraries: Random House and Harper Collins.  Four publishers will not sell ebooks to libraries: The Penguin Group, Hachette Book Group, Macmillian, and Simon & Schuster.

 

Publishers are evaluating library ebook business models that make sense, but ultimately the publishers need to feel that they are profiting from the arrangement.  One thing publishers are doing is raising the prices libraries pay for ebooks compared to the price consumers pay.  See this report by Douglas County Libraries for a striking example of both the availability of titles and the price libraries pay to provide titles to our customers.  http://evoke.cvlsites.org/files/2012/10/DCLPriceReportOct-31-12.pdf

 

You can follow the E-voke blog at http://evoke.cvlsites.org/ for updated information about the ebook environment in Colorado.

 

Libraries are working with publishers to try to find a model that will work for both sides.  Until then, we will keep getting what we can. If you would like to contact publishers asking them to allow libraries to carry their ebooks, here is their contact information and a sample letter you can use.

 

Hachette Book Group
3 Center Plaza
Boston, MA 02108
800.759.0190
Online form: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/customer_contact-us.aspx

Macmillan Publishing
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
888.330.8477
Email: customerservice@mpsvirginia.com

Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 698-7000
Online form:  http://simonandschuster.com/about/contact_us

Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 366-2000
Email: ecommerce@us.penguingroup.com

 

Dear Publisher,

As a library patron and frequent book purchaser, I am disappointed by your decision not to sell eBooks and audiobooks to libraries. Please reconsider.
 
Thank you.