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My excellent public library does charge a $1/week "Zoom" lending fee for physical copies of hot new books that someone wants to devour right away. Perhaps this idea could be adapted, such that free access is available to everyone (eventually), but those with the means can choose to pay more for instant gratification.
Furthermore, the library does not run its digital collection solo, but rather participates in the "Midwest Collaborative for Library Services." A clever feature of this set up is that many titles are marked, "Want to own this title? 'Buy it Now' at LibraryBIN - a digital bookstore that serves public libraries!" If you click thru and purchase, "The proceeds of each sale, after deducting the payment to the publisher for the wholesale cost of the title plus a hosting and fulfillment fee, are donated to the participating library that you specify. These earnings can be used to purchase eBooks, audiobooks and other media for the library’s download website."
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