We love lending digital books and audiobooks (also referred to as eBooks and eAudiobooks), but the pricing structure is very different for libraries than for individual consumers and presents libraries with significant challenges. Our digital book platforms are governed by the laws of licensing instead of ownership, and digital library vendors frequently charge in excess of six times what a consumer would pay for the same item. Additionally, these items are not owned by libraries, as they are by consumers, so when the lease expires the book is no longer available to library users. This restrictive pricing structure harms not only libraries, whose budgets are strained building digital collections, but also taxpayers, whose dollars fund the majority of library operations.
There are bills being considered by the State legislature that would seek to change current digital book practices in ways that would increase the ability of libraries to provide these resources in a financially responsible way. While the Wallingford Public Library is not currently advocating for any specific legislation, we do wish to inform our library users on the state of digital materials.
How can you help?
Contact your legislators and tell them how important library digital books and audiobooks are to you. Ask them to partner with libraries, so we can continue to provide these important resources in a fiscally responsible way.
Please continue to check out and enjoy library books, digital materials, and other items using your preferred method. If you have any questions, please contact Sunnie Scarpa, Library Director at: sscarpa@wallingfordlibrary.org