Will Higher Ebook Prices Increase Library Demand?

advocate2 · 02-01-2010, 04:03 AM

I had already migrated away from Amazon to Sony because our library has an extensive EMedia collection. They even have a Ebookmobile that travels around to all the branches demonstrating Ebooks and how to use the EMedia collection.

I see the Macmillan deal increasing demand on libraries to expand their collections. This could be a great turning point for Ereadership.

I don't mind paying for a title I want to read. I resent not being able to pass the book on to a friend or family member to read when I am done. I would rather contibute to the library to acquire the title for the benefit of many rather than pay Amazon so I can read it once.

colinsky · 02-01-2010, 04:39 AM

Note that Macmillan doesn't do ebook libraries either:

Quote:

“I don’t have to get in my car, go to the library, look at the book, check it out,” said John Sargent, chief executive of Macmillan, which publishes authors like Janet Evanovich, Augusten Burroughs and Jeffrey Eugenides. “Instead, I’m sitting in the comfort of my living room and can say, ‘Oh, that looks interesting’ and download it.”

As digital collections grow, Mr. Sargent said he feared a world in which “pretty soon you’re not paying for anything.” Partly because of such concerns, Macmillan does not allow its e-books to be offered in public libraries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/bo...es.html?src=tp

(In fact, I'm somewhat surprised that they're still OK selling paper books to physical libraries, as the same principals apply!)

TallMomof2 · 02-02-2010, 09:24 AM

I'm bumping this thread because I feel that it is important that we ebook readers know that MacMillan does not allow ebooks in public libraries.

Another reason to boycott MacMillan.

Hellmark · 02-02-2010, 10:05 AM

I'd say probably so. Where I live, ebooks aren't available from the library, and I've been looking into what it takes to get ebooks from the nearest county library system that offers it.

As far as Macmillan's stance, I don't see how ebooks from the library are any different from paper books from the library. They still are getting paid for each copy, and the reader doesn't pay, unless there is a fine (which, Macmillan would never see anyway). Only real difference, is ebooks lift the possibility of late fees, since they autoexpire, and "return" themselves.

TallMomof2 · 02-02-2010, 10:57 AM

My county has a meager Overdrive ebook selection slightly over 500 ebooks at any one time. The ebooks are almost exclusively best sellers. What I think is funny that only a specific number of copies of an ebook can be checked out. I frequently have to go on a waiting list for new releases. Plus it appears that even though new books are added the total number remains constant so some ebooks are dropped.

I was extremely surprised when I read about MacMillan not allowing their ebooks in libraries.

advocate2 · 02-02-2010, 11:01 AM

I guess I am really fortunate. My County Library has a collection of 5000 ebook titles. It has many more wma and mp3 titles.

asjogren · 02-02-2010, 12:14 PM

"As digital collections grow, Mr. Sargent said he feared a world in which “pretty soon you’re not paying for anything.” Partly because of such concerns, Macmillan does not allow its e-books to be offered in public libraries."

I suspect Mr. Sargent failed kindergarten. You know - sharing and getting along with others.

My Seattle Public library has about 17,000 eBooks:
- half PDF
- one quarter MobiPocket
- one quarter ePub
But, Seattle is a high tax, liberal area, with some of the highest book reading rates in the country.

I think MacMillan will do great - for a while. And then crash. Too much short term thinking, trying to force fit an archaic system on a new environment, and angering customers with self-serving policies.

Unfortunately, Mr.Sargent will be amply rewarded for destroying the future of his company.

Sydney's Mom · 02-02-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

I'm bumping this thread because I feel that it is important that we ebook readers know that MacMillan does not allow ebooks in public libraries.

Another reason to boycott MacMillan.

OMG. What a terrible corporation. If you don't have enough money to buy our product, NO BOOKS FOR YOU!

SCION · 02-02-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asjogren

I suspect Mr. Sargent failed kindergarten. You know - sharing and getting along with others.

02-01-2010, 04:03 AM	#1
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	Will Higher Ebook Prices Increase Library Demand? I had already migrated away from Amazon to Sony because our library has an extensive EMedia collection. They even have a Ebookmobile that travels around to all the branches demonstrating Ebooks and how to use the EMedia collection. I see the Macmillan deal increasing demand on libraries to expand their collections. This could be a great turning point for Ereadership. I don't mind paying for a title I want to read. I resent not being able to pass the book on to a friend or family member to read when I am done. I would rather contibute to the library to acquire the title for the benefit of many rather than pay Amazon so I can read it once.

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02-02-2010, 09:24 AM	#3
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	I'm bumping this thread because I feel that it is important that we ebook readers know that MacMillan does not allow ebooks in public libraries. Another reason to boycott MacMillan.

02-02-2010, 10:05 AM	#4
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,586 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I'd say probably so. Where I live, ebooks aren't available from the library, and I've been looking into what it takes to get ebooks from the nearest county library system that offers it. As far as Macmillan's stance, I don't see how ebooks from the library are any different from paper books from the library. They still are getting paid for each copy, and the reader doesn't pay, unless there is a fine (which, Macmillan would never see anyway). Only real difference, is ebooks lift the possibility of late fees, since they autoexpire, and "return" themselves.

02-02-2010, 10:57 AM	#5
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	My county has a meager Overdrive ebook selection slightly over 500 ebooks at any one time. The ebooks are almost exclusively best sellers. What I think is funny that only a specific number of copies of an ebook can be checked out. I frequently have to go on a waiting list for new releases. Plus it appears that even though new books are added the total number remains constant so some ebooks are dropped. I was extremely surprised when I read about MacMillan not allowing their ebooks in libraries.

02-02-2010, 11:01 AM	#6
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	I guess I am really fortunate. My County Library has a collection of 5000 ebook titles. It has many more wma and mp3 titles.

02-02-2010, 12:14 PM	#7
asjogren Addict Posts: 266 Karma: 1378 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle / San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico Device: Kindle & WiFi Nook & PocketBook IQ	"As digital collections grow, Mr. Sargent said he feared a world in which “pretty soon you’re not paying for anything.” Partly because of such concerns, Macmillan does not allow its e-books to be offered in public libraries." I suspect Mr. Sargent failed kindergarten. You know - sharing and getting along with others. My Seattle Public library has about 17,000 eBooks: - half PDF - one quarter MobiPocket - one quarter ePub But, Seattle is a high tax, liberal area, with some of the highest book reading rates in the country. I think MacMillan will do great - for a while. And then crash. Too much short term thinking, trying to force fit an archaic system on a new environment, and angering customers with self-serving policies. Unfortunately, Mr.Sargent will be amply rewarded for destroying the future of his company.

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