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I thought for sure they would find a way to make some money and still be able to lend books. If they can't lend through libraries, they should start their own "library" even if it is "fee based."
I can understand them not wanting to just sell the books just once to a library, but to not have them there at all doesn't make sense either.
In fairness, I think they gave the idea a try and didn't like the results. It's a lot easier to borrow a book from the comfort of your living room. I know there have been times when I've bought a book just to have it delivered rather than to to the library, check it out and have to return it (or be on a wait list.) But with ebooks? I can check as easily at the library as Amazon. And the wait list is no big deal because they'll email me when it's ready. I can start reading without having to get in the car and pick it up.
Re: Piracy. It's alive and well and not having books in libraries or having them there makes no real difference. Those who were okay doing it before still will be and if they were choosing between the library and piracy, there wasn't much gain for the publisher anyway.
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