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John Sargent also shows he is clueless about the library model.
(1) Just like the pbook model in libraries, ebooks mostly circulate 1 copy, 1 loan at a time. (Whether or not this should be the model is a whole can of worms that I won't open here.)
(2) Ebook library collections are limited to library cardholders. I know that there are some libraries out there that have reasonably priced "out-of-district" library cards available for purchase but this is the exception, not the rule. And in my system, where you can get either a reciprocal library card or purchase an out-of-district card, this card has a different barcode that will not authenticate for our Overdrive lending library.
(3) That publishers make their money on libraries reordering used and torn books. As a librarian in charge of our collection, I can tell you (a) that the vast majority of books can circulate way more than 10 times and still be in good condition, and (b) I actually replace very few worn titles. But as a library, I am a big buyer of publishers' mid-lists and giving lesser known authors a chance to be read.
(4)Many public libraries already have a "netflix" model for pbooks, at least for homebound patrons, where they deliver the book to the patron's home and the patron sends it back.
(5)Sargent is just plain stupid to make enemies of librarians, who in the overall picture, increase access to the product he is selling.
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