Bud Werner Memorial Library

..... A Tale of Digital Books, Libraries and Book Publishers

We love digital books, and we know our patrons do too. In fact, the Bud Werner Memorial Library has increased our eBook and audiobook collection by more than 200 percent during the last few years, and, at the request of our patrons, we are dedicating more and more resources toward this growing collection.

Why Don't You Have the eBook I'm Looking For?

At the same time, we cannot ignore the facts. You may have noticed that our digital collection is more limited in variety than our book selection.

Why is that?

Only two of the largest publishers - HarperCollins and Random House - will actually sell rights to libraries to lend digital books. That means that some of the most popular books and authors are simply unavailable for us to purchase and lend.

Publishers Restrict eBooks

Four publishers - Hachette Book Group, Macmillan, The Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster have decided not to allow libraries the rights to lend their books in digital format, believing that if people can get these books through libraries, the publishers will lose sales.

But, Why?

Publishers are afraid of losing sales. One theory is that publishers assume that library patrons don't buy books. But, we know better! Library patrons love books. Love to borrow them, buy them, give them and re-read favorites over and over again. As digital books become more popular, this simple fact won't change.

That's why you will notice the new Buy it Now function in our catalog, where, if an item is not immediately available, you can opt to purchase it. When you purchase any item using the Buy it Now button, you will help us show publishers that library patrons buy books. Also, as an affiliate library, we receive a percentage of each sale made through the library's catalog which goes toward purchases of more digital books for your library's collection..

What else can I do?

If you would like to contact the publishers mentioned above about their eBook licensing policies, please find their contact information below:

Hachette Book Group
3 Center Plaza
Boston, MA 02108
800.759.0190
Online form: https://www.hachettebookgroup.biz/contact-us/

Macmillan Publishing
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
888.330.8477
Email: customerservice@mpsvirginia.com

Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 698-7000
Online form:  http://simonandschuster.com/about/contact_us

Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 366-2000
Email: ecommerce@us.penguingroup.com

Sample Letter

Dear Publisher,

As a library patron and frequent book purchaser, I am disappointed by your decision not to sell eBooks and audiobooks to libraries. Please reconsider.
 
Thank you.

For more in-depth information please visit the Evoke website.