Should Libraries Charge for eBooks? - Page 3

tubemonkey · 06-29-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

I think starting from a position that "without charging patrons, e-content will not expand" is probably assuming facts not in evidence, but if those are the only two options available, then I suppose the point is rather moot.....

That's not my position. One of the many libraries I belong to has already shut down two branches this year. They also have a poor selection of ebooks. What are the chances that they'll greatly expand their ebook collection with the budget they currently operate out of?

Who wins now?

DianNC · 06-29-2011, 12:37 PM

I'm in the U.S. and our only *fee* is for a library replacement card...$1.00, I believe, but that could vary by state. (And, as others have mentioned, the subsidizing through property taxes).

I'd also be willing to pay a fee that went directly to the digital portion of the library, but I think the suggestions of 'means-testing' might actually end up costing more than it saved.

I've memberships to two county and one city library ... and I've looked into maybe obtaining membership in out-of-state libraries but haven't actually acted on it yet. Of course, for those, I'd for sure expect to pay a fee.

tubemonkey · 06-29-2011, 12:45 PM

Means testing doesn't have to be complicated. Exempt patrons over a certain age; and for the rest, have them produce a food stamp card.

Again, this begs key questions:

who pays for their transportation to a library?
who pays for their ereader?

abookreader · 06-29-2011, 12:46 PM

Well, it is easy to think of eBooks as "high end" but that isn't always the case.

I can't recall ever seeing a direct comparison but I'd be willing to bet that on a per checkout basis, an eBook is cheaper than an inter-library loan of a DTB. In our system you are talking staff time in two buildings, plus a truck, plus the truck driver.

And what of audiobooks which we've offered via Overdrive long before we implemented eBooks. Those are heavily used by print disabled clientele and it really would be practically a crime in my mind to charge a fee for them. But is it fair to offer audiobook checkouts with no extra fees and then not eBooks? Format discrimination?

tubemonkey · 06-29-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abookreader

And what of audiobooks which we've offered via Overdrive long before we implemented eBooks. Those are heavily used by print disabled clientele and it really would be practically a crime in my mind to charge a fee for them. But is it fair to offer audiobook checkouts with no extra fees and then not eBooks? Format discrimination?

Transportation discrimination? Device discrimination?

Elfwreck · 06-29-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DianNC

I'm in the U.S. and our only *fee* is for a library replacement card...$1.00, I believe, but that could vary by state. (And, as others have mentioned, the subsidizing through property taxes).

Varies by city. SF charges $1 for adult replacement cards; Berkeley charges $2. Los Angeles is $3. I think I've seen as high as $5, but it's still a nominal fee to cover the nuisance of reprinting or filling out another form.

US libraries are supposed to be tax-supported; I don't want some features to become pay-per-use bonuses. It's supposed to be a cultural repository, not a book rental store. If they need more money to provide all the content the community wants, the community needs to either agree to pay more taxes (distributed among everyone) or support the occasional fundraiser (where those who can afford it pay more).

I *don't* want private groups to be encouraged to provide special, regular funding; we'd wind up with churches and corporations telling the libraries what they can & can't stock. (More than they already do.)

pidgeon92 · 06-29-2011, 01:17 PM

I am happy to pay for the option. I just sent the Free Library of Philadelphia $35 to renew my card with them. In the past year I have read 21 ebooks that I borrowed from them. Even if I only read a half-dozen next year, I am happy to support them in their efforts to expand their ebook holdings.

Latinandgreek · 06-29-2011, 01:28 PM

I would pay a small fee for ebook usage. $50 is much too high, I think. I don't pay a yearly fee for my library system here in Canada, but my library in Croatia charges $15 a year for students (I can only take out 6 books at a time), and the academic library charges $20 (4 books at a time, no online journal access!).

DianNC · 06-29-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Transportation discrimination?

Many counties, mine included, provide transportation assistance to qualified residents. I just did a quick search, and, yep, libraries are included.

tubemonkey · 06-29-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DianNC

Many counties, mine included, provide transportation assistance to qualified residents. I just did a quick search, and, yep, libraries are included.

anamardoll · 06-29-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Means testing doesn't have to be complicated. Exempt patrons over a certain age; and for the rest, have them produce a food stamp card.

Again, this begs key questions:

who pays for their transportation to a library?
who pays for their ereader?

Your first criteria is arbitrary; your second inadequate.

Just because someone is old doesn't mean they don't have the means to support the library as a "Library Patron". Just because someone is too poor to pay to rent books doesn't mean they automatically have a food stamp card.

I agree with a previous poster that exemptions are onerous and not cost-effective. An opt-in pay program would be much more manageable in my opinion.

Let us also please not forget that (a) a patron does not have to travel to the library to check out an eBook, and (b) a patron does not have to have an eReader to read an eBook.

anamardoll · 06-29-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

That's not my position. One of the many libraries I belong to has already shut down two branches this year. They also have a poor selection of ebooks. What are the chances that they'll greatly expand their ebook collection with the budget they currently operate out of?

Who wins now?

Do what I do -- donate money specifically for eBooks.

tubemonkey · 06-29-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Let us also please not forget that (a) a patron does not have to travel to the library to check out an eBook, and (b) a patron does not have to have an eReader to read an eBook.

Lacking home internet service and any ereading device, transportation is crucial. Again, who provides these?

Phogg · 06-29-2011, 01:56 PM

[QUOTE=Elfwreck;1635423
US libraries are supposed to be tax-supported.

[/QUOTE]

No they are not.

In many places they are, but in much of America libraries have always been charitable endevors of the community.

DianNC · 06-29-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Lacking home internet service and any ereading device, transportation is crucial. Again, who provides these?

And probably not just any internet service. I can't imagine trying to download audiobooks, for instance, on a dial-up service. E-books might be easier, though.

Really interesting discussion. I'm enjoying all the opinions/offerings immensely.

06-29-2011, 12:45 PM	#33
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,762 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Means testing doesn't have to be complicated. Exempt patrons over a certain age; and for the rest, have them produce a food stamp card. Again, this begs key questions: who pays for their transportation to a library? who pays for their ereader?

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06-29-2011, 12:37 PM	#32
DianNC Banned Posts: 1,431 Karma: 5222495 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Nook Color, Entourage Pocket Edge, iPod Touch 5th Gen	I'm in the U.S. and our only fee is for a library replacement card...$1.00, I believe, but that could vary by state. (And, as others have mentioned, the subsidizing through property taxes). I'd also be willing to pay a fee that went directly to the digital portion of the library, but I think the suggestions of 'means-testing' might actually end up costing more than it saved. I've memberships to two county and one city library ... and I've looked into maybe obtaining membership in out-of-state libraries but haven't actually acted on it yet. Of course, for those, I'd for sure expect to pay a fee.

06-29-2011, 12:46 PM	#34
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Well, it is easy to think of eBooks as "high end" but that isn't always the case. I can't recall ever seeing a direct comparison but I'd be willing to bet that on a per checkout basis, an eBook is cheaper than an inter-library loan of a DTB. In our system you are talking staff time in two buildings, plus a truck, plus the truck driver. And what of audiobooks which we've offered via Overdrive long before we implemented eBooks. Those are heavily used by print disabled clientele and it really would be practically a crime in my mind to charge a fee for them. But is it fair to offer audiobook checkouts with no extra fees and then not eBooks? Format discrimination?

06-29-2011, 01:17 PM	#37
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I am happy to pay for the option. I just sent the Free Library of Philadelphia $35 to renew my card with them. In the past year I have read 21 ebooks that I borrowed from them. Even if I only read a half-dozen next year, I am happy to support them in their efforts to expand their ebook holdings.

06-29-2011, 01:28 PM	#38
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	I would pay a small fee for ebook usage. $50 is much too high, I think. I don't pay a yearly fee for my library system here in Canada, but my library in Croatia charges $15 a year for students (I can only take out 6 books at a time), and the academic library charges $20 (4 books at a time, no online journal access!).

06-29-2011, 01:56 PM	#44
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	[QUOTE=Elfwreck;1635423 US libraries are supposed to be tax-supported. [/QUOTE] No they are not. In many places they are, but in much of America libraries have always been charitable endevors of the community.