Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Is that $106 for a limited time period, or one with a limited number of loans, or is it an "eternal" licence? If it's the latter, it's probably justified by the fact that library users (if my own library is anything to go by) tend to be rather hard on books, and a popular paper book will have to be replaced at relatively frequent intervals, particularly if it's a paperback. Ebooks do not degrade.
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It's not even close to justified they aren't re-buying every copy, let me explain. The Toronto Public Library has 100 branches. Assume they order 2 copies on average per branch $28 each (hard cover). They misjudged the popularity and there are 120 people on the waiting list. Using the 6:1 ratio they buy another 20 copies. Total $6,160. If 5 of those books are totally destroyed in the first 3 months, the peak lending is over, they likely wouldn't purchase new, they'd just pitch them. With a 2 week lending period the maximum they could lend the books is 26 times in a year. They do minor repairs and rate the condition of the books. After a year or two demand has dropped and they need shelf space so they start getting rid of copies, starting with the worst first. Assume they actually purchase 10% of the books again that's only another $600.
Compare that to the $106 per ebook. If they had to buy the same number at peak demand it would be $23,320.