ebooks

For those of who are familiar with the works of Sylvia Engdahl (Enchantress from the Stars is the one I remember), they have made three books of essays free (info). I've just downloaded them via Apple.

Engdahl also says

Unfortunately, you will not find print copies of my adult novels, or in-print editions of my YA novels, in libraries, as they do not buy indie editions -- but they can get FREE copies of all my ebooks (except Enchantress from the Stars and nonfiction published by Greenhaven) from Overdrive and several other library ebook systems. Please let your librarian know.

List of books

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After COVID boom, ebook aggregators face licensing questions from Congress - The Verge

A Democratic senator launched an investigation into how publishers license ebooks to libraries on Thursday, calling on nine major ebook aggregators to provide details on the licensing agreements they make with libraries.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), sent letters demanding that aggregators like Overdrive and EBSCO provide them with examples of standard ebook licensing agreements for every major publisher they work with, including Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster.
( Read more... )

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Last week I heard the Open Library’s announcement they were lifting limits on how many people can borrow from their extensive scanned book collection "for the duration". Today I was surprised and enlightened to read about opposition from authors.

( 500 words of links & summaries )

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Publishers Weekly, March 17, 2020, "Macmillan Abandons Library E-book Embargo":

In a surprise announcement today, Macmillan abandoned its controversial embargo on new release e-books in libraries, effective this week.

“There are times in life when differences should be put aside,” reads a brief memo from Macmillan CEO John Sargent addressed to librarians, authors, illustrators, and agents. “Effective on Friday (or whenever thereafter our wholesalers can effect the change), Macmillan will return to the library e-book pricing model that was in effect on October 31st, 2019. In addition, we will be lowering some e-book prices on a short term basis to help expand libraries collections in these difficult times. Stay safe.”

A Macmillan spokesperson confirmed that the removal of the embargo covers all titles, including new release Tor titles (which were technically still under a "test" embargo on October 31, 2019). ( Read more... )

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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.

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It looks like there may be another major player in the library ebook market.

Baker & Taylor (B&T) is one of the oldest print book distributors, but it only recently entered the ebook market with its own fully fledged digital media platform, Axis 360. Since its launch in June 2011, the platform has gained some traction, with 107 libraries having signed contracts as of March 5 (38 sites are live).

This article is very encouraging. I'm interested to see how it shakes out. I really would like my library to offer ebooks from someone other than Overdrive. I think the fact that Axis 360 doesn't yet offer epub is a real detriment so until they offer more common formats, I think they are going to have a struggle.

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I was just clicking around my library's ebook site and discovered that all 7 of the Harry Potter books are listed as pre-order. My library will do this with books and allow people to get put on a hold list prior to the release of the books. The release date is April 30, 2012 (and I just have to say, "OMG J.K. Rowling, fucking finally!")

What I find interesting, though, is that the books are only being offered in epub format.

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In addition to the restrictions from several of the "big 6" publishers--Macmillan and Simon & Schuster don't allow ebooks through Overdrive at all, Penguin's stopped allowing new content & shut off Kindle access, and Harper Collins only lets them be loaned out 26 times--a new twist in the OverDrive contract has turned up: different selection based on libraries' card policies. If the library allows non-residents access to their ebooks, they get a much smaller selection.

And they work to hide that detail, because dayamn I couldn't write a less-clear contract bit if I tried:

( This is an *impressive* example of obfuscatory verbiage )

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library ebooks

I was on Overdrive this morning trying to remember what book I was wanting to search for* when I see some new links. In the spirit of curiosity and dead cats, I clicked. Overdrive is now offering DRM-free books. So, when they have a book that has a DRM-free version, it is called Open epub/PDF and has a cute little green, unlocked padlock symbol. The version that has DRM has a red, locked padlock symbol. These unlocked books still have a due date but I'm not sure how they can even enforce that without DRM. Now, there aren't a lot yet ~~and the vast majority seem to be from O'Reilly~~ but the fact that it's now one of the offered formats is, in my opinion, a tremendous step forward. I did get myself on the waitlist (yes, ridiculous, artificial scarcity, yada) for 3 Stargate:Atlantis official fanfiction books.

*Seriously, I have no idea what it was but I remember thinking about it and being really excited so I hope I eventually remember.

ETA: The vast majority on the first 3 pages were from O'Reilly but it looks like it's mostly science fiction with a couple of romance thrown in. Of course, this is my library so ymmv.

Current Mood: pleased

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Amazon's talking to publishers about a "digital library" or subscription ebook service, like Netflix. I like the idea; I can't see it working, at least, not soon.

Movie contracts have had, for many years, a provision for royalties for broadcast; adapting that to paid-subscription broadcast instead of open-public broadcast is a lot simpler than creating a provision for broadcast from scratch. Book publishing contracts generally don't have a clause about rental royalties--because when books are sold, the new owner can rent them any way they want. Selling digital access is a licensing fee that doesn't fit the standard contract structure, and authors are likely to be suspicious of whatever they're offered.

Especially given the bad accounting and rights grabs and bizarre royalty change demands that publishers are often prone to; authors have little incentive to just agree to whatever terms publishers suggest for subscriptions.

( Not impossible; just unlikely in the current quagmire of legal, social & technological issues )

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Unfortunately for me there isn't an overdrive library near me unless I get a library card in some cities just outside of where I live but...

Harper Collins are forcing Libraries to re-buy new ebook copies after checking them out 26 times.

The link will take you to the story and a video of a library in Oklahoma expressing their dismay over this.

That just seems so wrong. I could see if the epub file got corrupted (in that case I still think the distributor would just send out a new copy to a library. Does HarperCollins think libraries make lots of money? Because I can tell you ... they don't.

[Edit: Seems you guys were talking about this days ago. I really haven't been visiting the journals much these days... so pardon. Although I still found the video kind of interesting.] :)

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So, has everybody heard about HarperCollins gouging libraries for ebooks?

Library Journal:

In the first significant revision to lending terms for ebook circulation, HarperCollins has announced that new titles licensed from library ebook vendors will be able to circulate only 26 times before the license expires.

Smart Bitches blog:

In other words, the publisher sets a limit to the number of times a digital book can be lent, then when that limit is reached, that library must purchase another copy.

But wait! There’s more! That mysterious “publishers” referred to in the OverDrive email also says they want access to patron information.
[emphasis mine]

Cory Doctorow @ BoingBoing:

I've talked to a lot of librarians about why they buy DRM books for their collections, and they generally emphasize that buying ebooks with DRM works pretty well, generates few complaints, and gets the books their patrons want on the devices their patrons use. And it's absolutely true: on the whole, DRM ebooks, like DRM movies and DRM games work pretty well.

But they fail really badly. No matter how crappy a library's relationship with a print publisher might be, the publisher couldn't force them to destroy the books in their collections after 26 checkouts. DRM is like the Ford Pinto: it's a smooth ride, right up the point at which it explodes and ruins your day.

Twitter:

Hashtag #hcod
HarperCollins tweet regarding the mess: We're reading your posts-and listening to our authors. If you want to share longer thoughts with us, email library.ebook@harpercollins.com

Feel free to post additional links in the comments.

ETA: Courtney Milan, author, "On Eating Your Seed Corn":

Publishers, if you make it impossible for young people–those in the “under 25″ category–to support a good reading habit on their own dime, these people are not going to start magically spending money on books when they start making a decent income. No; at that point, they’ll already have started spending their time haunting hulu instead, where they can actually get free entertainment. And when they start making money, they’ll be buying iTunes streams of those shows they watched for free.

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Sylvia Engdahl - essay collections - free

"After COVID boom, ebook aggregators face licensing questions from Congress"

Authors Push Back Against Open Library Ebook Scheme

some good news

another library boycotting Macmillan ebooks

Something To Keep an Eye On

Very Interesting

OverDrive limits choices for some libraries

You Guys!!!!

Subscription ebooks: Amazon's new foray into chainsaw juggling

Wow...[edit]

HarperCollins Anti-Library Ways

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