Libby is stuck between libraries and publishers in the e-book war

[SheltieLover]

https://www.protocol.com/amp/ebooks-libraries-libby-overdrive-publishers-2650433716

Snip.

It had also accelerated a funding crisis. Public library budgets have never been luxe, and book acquisition budgets in particular have always been tight. Though it may seem counterintuitive to readers, e-books cost far more than physical books for libraries, meaning that increased demand for digital editions put libraries in a financial bind.

Because e-books are not regulated under the same laws that govern physical books, publishers can price them however they choose. Rather than emulate the physical model, where libraries pay a fixed cost for a certain number of books, they instead offer digital editions through a license that usually includes a limit on the number of times a book can be checked out, the length of time a library holds an edition, or both. Just like with movies, music and software, book publishers have moved from an ownership model to a subscription model for their digital products (none of the major publishing houses responded to multiple requests for comment for this story). Librarians sometimes pay hundreds of dollars to circulate one copy of an e-book for a two-year period, a number that could theoretically add up to thousands for one book over decades, according to a 2019 American Library Association report to Congress.

Much more at link. Blood sucking Microsoft started this trend of leasing software, imo. I had to purchase MS Office for work and what used to be a purchase was a one-year lease.

Heads up, folis, Amazon is the same way. When you purchase a movie or book, it is NOT yours. You only are allowed to use it for as long as Amazon says so. 🤬

[jimfields33]

1. I'll give amazon a little credit.

It gives a huge amount of free stuff if you have prime. Enough books are available that you don’t need the library ever. But you are correct it’s not yours. I’ve bought movies and I suppose if they decide to discontinue it, it will disappear. I don’t think it’s happened yet.

[hermetic]

2. Well, that explains a lot

I could never understand why only one person at a time could have an ebook out. Then, a couple of months ago, my library said they were ending that and ebooks would be available to as many as wanted them. And then, a month later, they quit doing that. As usual, greed triumphs over good. And it's not like the money is going to the authors. Same as musicians.

[SheltieLover]

3. Greed seems problematic for sure

I wish there were a way for authors to completely do an end run around these greedy fkrs & work directly with libraries!