More Libraries and Librarians Weigh In On eBook Lending Limits (Roundup 2)

All but one of the articles linked in this post were published on May 7th and May 8th.
+  “Open Letter to HarperCollins” (From the San Rafael Public Library, via Librarian in Black)
+ “Maine libraries upset about HarperCollins’ eBook lending limits” (via The Forecaster, Portland Maine)

Maine InfoNet Executive Director James Sanborn said the average cost of an eBook license is around $15, ranging from $8 to $10 for older titles to $24 to $27 for newer bestsellers.
Sanborn said libraries have reacted strongly against HarperCollins because they are concerned that other major publishers would follow suit.
“I’m obviously concerned about that being the case,” Sanborn said. “I’m hoping the negative publicity (HarperCollins) got around this will keep other publishers from doing it.

+ “Librarians Boycott HarperCollins Over E-Books” (via ABC News)

“Right now, [e-books are] just gravy, but at some point this is going to be how a lot of people are reading and this isn’t a sustainable business model for reading,” said Kate Sheehan, an information specialist with Bibliomation, a Connection consortium of public and school libraries. “If this becomes the precedent for the long-term it’s going to be devastating for libraries.”

+ “Librarians launch boycott in battle over e-books (via USA Today)
+ “Library Consortia Begin To Vote Against HarperCollins Ebook Checkout Policy” (via Library Journal)
+ Repost: “The Upper Hudson Library System [New York State] Boycotts HarperCollins New eBook Policy” (via Examiner.com)

Filed under: Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Libraries, News, Public Libraries, Publishing, Roundup, School Libraries