Just speculating, but I wonder if this might be part of the ongoing ‘discussions’ between the libraries/ALA and publishers about licensing terms.
Back in July when the Macmillan CEO announced upcoming changes to book releases, among other reasons, he cited:
“The increase in library ebook reading is driven by a number of factors: a seamless delivery of ebooks to reading devices and apps (there is no friction in e-lending, particularly compared to physical book lending), the active marketing by various parties to turn purchasers into borrowers, and
apps that support lending across libraries regardless of residence (including borrowing from libraries in different states and countries), to name a few.”
Could be libraries are deciding the extra income from out of staters isn’t enough to make up for extra hassle, including from the publishers. Just guessing, though.
Needs more friction!!
https://www.publishersweekly.com/bin...004/4222-1.pdf