While the latest Open Library venture is a modest attempt to impact the e-book market for libraries, Kahle has been vocal about the broader implications for libraries. He said that was because content owners recognize that his ventures are open, non-profit, and culturally important. But Kahle told librarians at the recent ALA Midwinter Meeting in San Diego that after some initial hand-wringing, there has been “nary a peep” from publishers. In June, 2010, Kahle’s Open Library scanning efforts with Boston Public Library drew questions about whether they would be sued for its practice of scanning and lending digital editions of in-copyright books. The latest Open Library initiative will make backlist books available for now, though there are Open Library titles that are still in copyright. “All the patron knows is that the library failed them.”
“You try explaining why to a patron,” Platt said. This has left libraries with no choice but to use third-party vendors, like OverDrive, to supply e-book titles to patrons, with some publishers still refusing to allow library lending of popular titlesĪt ALA Midwinter, librarians spoke of surging digital demand, and more library budget money being allocated to meet that demand.Īt the recent Digital Book World in January, NYPL librarian Christopher Platt noted patron disappointment that some publishers and big titles are not in the library e-book mix, such as Keith Richards‘ recent biography Life, and Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom.
#Internet archive bookreader issues license#
But with most popular, frontlist e-book titles, libraries no longer buy the books, but license them, and currently, there is no institutional sales model for library e-books on the major platforms.
Traditionally, libraries buy books and other products, own them, and lend them, spending billions annually. E-books have become a thorny issue for libraries with the advent of successful consumer e-book models, like Kindle, Nook, and Google eBooks.
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