Dear Penguin Books: Library users are not freeloaders!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Joykins

There's a sort of ADA/equal access issue here as well.

Provisions can be made for them while excluding everyone else.

[CFAM24]

Libraries are around for a reason. Mostly to promote reading, but they also serve another purpose, such as making the network accessible, providing assistance for research, reading/song time for children. Also, if you're like me, you read a lot, and you read a lot to your kids. If I had to purchase every book that I've read to my kids in the past 6 months, I'd probably go broke. They enjoy storytime before their naps & before they go to bed at night, so it's a plus for me to have a large variety of books at my disposal. Also, not every book you borrow is going to be a winner. I hate to purchase something that falls short, and then feel bad for wasting my money. Sometimes if I really enjoy a book I've read in the past, I'll go ahead and buy it, just so I have it in my collection.

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Provisions can be made for them while excluding everyone else.

True; in fact, isn't that one of the cases for allowing legal DRM stripping?

[RDaneel54]

Originally Posted by dkb

I think libraries are important. I've always been a reader. But while in school, I didn't buy books, I got them from the library. I didn't start buying books until I started working. I really feel that if it weren't for the library, I wouldn't have become a reader.

My parents worked and didn't take me to the library. I walked or rode my bike. I don't think that's an option these days. My local library is in an area without sidewalks or bike lanes. Getting there for most would involve crossing roads and streets where walking or riding a bike would not be safe or practical.

Ebooks make the library more accessible. It encourages reading.

Really, really good points! I've never even thought of the obvious benefits to young readers. I also started my reading on Library books and didn't start buying until I went in the Army.

Karma coming your way.

[RDaneel54]

Originally Posted by Joykins

Digital books are also a boon to disabled readers. People who can't hold a regular book, or who are blind (tts) or need large print may read digitally nearly exclusively. There's a sort of ADA/equal access issue here as well.

This can't be said enough. We require handicap access to all public buildings such as libraries, but exclude those who can't leave home or have other needs. I mean 5 out of 6 of the big publishers exclude those people.

Karma coming at ya.

Dean

[dkb]

I sent an email to all the publishers who no longer sell ebooks to libraries. This is the reply I got from Penquin:

Dear Diane,

Thank you for your inquiry.

In these ever changing times, it is vital that we forge relationships with libraries and build a future together. We care about preserving the value of our authors’ work as well as helping libraries continue to serve their communities. Our ongoing partnership with the ALA is more important than ever, and our recent talks with ALA leadership helped bring everything into focus. Looking ahead, we are continuing to talk about our future plans for eBook and digital audiobook availability for library lending with a number of partners providing these services. Because of these discussions, as of February 10, 2012, Penguin will no longer offer additional copies of eBooks and audiobooks for purchase via Overdrive. Physical editions of Penguin’s new and backlist titles will continue to be available in libraries everywhere.


I fail to see how not selling ebooks to libraries helps them forge relationships.

[RDaneel54]

Originally Posted by dkb

I sent an email to all the publishers who no longer sell ebooks to libraries. This is the reply I got from Penquin:

Dear Diane,

Thank you for your inquiry.

In these ever changing times, it is vital that we forge relationships with libraries and build a future together. We care about preserving the value of our authors’ work as well as helping libraries continue to serve their communities. Our ongoing partnership with the ALA is more important than ever, and our recent talks with ALA leadership helped bring everything into focus. Looking ahead, we are continuing to talk about our future plans for eBook and digital audiobook availability for library lending with a number of partners providing these services. Because of these discussions, as of February 10, 2012, Penguin will no longer offer additional copies of eBooks and audiobooks for purchase via Overdrive. Physical editions of Penguin’s new and backlist titles will continue to be available in libraries everywhere.


I fail to see how not selling ebooks to libraries helps them forge relationships.

That's basically their press release slightly reworded; the "Dear Diane" part was added.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by dkb

I fail to see how not selling ebooks to libraries helps them forge relationships.

Because Penguin says so

[speakingtohe]

Equal access includes paper books as well. If the library provides easy and free access to paper books to handicapped people who cannot go to the library then Penguin's position is defensible to some degree.

Many libraries in the world(including Canada,USA and UK) have very few or no ebooks available for loan. It is still an emerging technology and a bit early to start casting stones.

Helen

[spindlegirl]

E-books provide so many benefits for some who are not "officially" handicapped, though, and who don't exactly qualify for special services. I have some limitations of my own but wouldn't dream of applying for special services (I don't even know what exist).

So with e-book loans, I don't have to apply for anything, I don't have to "explain" anything or feel embarrassed about certain situations - I just wait for an email that says my hold is ready and put it on my t1.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by Joykins

I had heared that they paid a little more, actually. I don't blame the publisher for charging a small premium for a book that will be read by multiple readers--as long as it isn't unreasonable.

They pay significantly more. I've been pricing with my library donations for months and everything is about 25% more for them than it is for me through B&N/Amazon/etc.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

E-books provide so many benefits for some who are not "officially" handicapped, though, and who don't exactly qualify for special services. I have some limitations of my own but wouldn't dream of applying for special services (I don't even know what exist).

So with e-book loans, I don't have to apply for anything, I don't have to "explain" anything or feel embarrassed about certain situations - I just wait for an email that says my hold is ready and put it on my t1.

Precisely.

[Joykins]

Here's a good example of a publisher's program for disabled readers. I doubt we'll see Penguin doing anything like this.

http://accessibility.net.nz/blog/bae...-disabilities/

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Equal access includes paper books as well. If the library provides easy and free access to paper books to handicapped people who cannot go to the library then Penguin's position is defensible to some degree.

Most physical libraries have maybe a shelf-row of large text books. Nearly all ebooks are large text at the click of a button.

I just wanted to make it clear that some people are not choosing digital reading because they are wealthy early-adopters, but they are choosing digital reading because it opens up more choices than large-text books and audiobooks (not to mention of course those who don't read physical books because of disabilities that make DTBs difficult/impossible/painful to hold).

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by dkb

I sent an email to all the publishers who no longer sell ebooks to libraries. This is the reply I got from Penquin:

Dear Diane,

Thank you for your inquiry.

In these ever changing times, it is vital that we forge relationships with libraries and build a future together. We care about preserving the value of our authors’ work as well as helping libraries continue to serve their communities. Our ongoing partnership with the ALA is more important than ever, and our recent talks with ALA leadership helped bring everything into focus. Looking ahead, we are continuing to talk about our future plans for eBook and digital audiobook availability for library lending with a number of partners providing these services. Because of these discussions, as of February 10, 2012, Penguin will no longer offer additional copies of eBooks and audiobooks for purchase via Overdrive. Physical editions of Penguin’s new and backlist titles will continue to be available in libraries everywhere.


I fail to see how not selling ebooks to libraries helps them forge relationships.

Well, they're not selling ebooks to libraries through Overdrive. I heard something about them working with 3M, which does not currently offer kindle lending (in fact, I'm not sure any 3M library is up and running yet?).

But the fact that most libraries use Overdrive mean most of us have lost (some?future?) access to Penguin ebooks through the library.