another library boycotting Macmillan ebooks

[tozka]

Continuing coverage of the Macmillan ebook embargo (as previously posted about here).

Nashville Public Library suspends Macmillan ebook purchases:

Until now, the library has purchased Macmillan eBooks at nearly four times their retail price, buying enough copies so readers must wait no more than four months to borrow them.

“We hope our decision today sends a message on behalf of all library readers, especially customers who love to read eBooks and also folks who can’t or don’t want to have to buy titles in order to enjoy them,” said Kent Oliver, NPL director.

An estimated 10,000 NPL customers borrow their books exclusively in digital formats (eBooks and eAudiobooks). In fact, NPL’s eBook usage has increased by nearly 20% since last year.

“This is our way of reminding Macmillan that libraries and the millions of readers they serve are longstanding members of the literature world,” Oliver said. “We don’t want to be cut out of that ecosystem.”

The suspension will last through spring 2020, subject to Macmillan's continued stance on their embargo.

Comments

[kore]

I really, really hope this isn't one of the final nails in the coffin for libraries. They're already being fucked over enough.

[tozka]

I don't think it will be-- ebooks are just one part of a library's services, and though this embargo is annoying, publishers have been annoying about ebooks before. I think the majority of most library patrons don't even use ebooks, tbh.

[yourlibrarian]

Good!

Now if only we could get academics to stop supporting commercial journal publishers.