Massachusetts: “Publishers Look To Make Edits To Mass. Lawmaker’s E-Book Access Bill”

From Statehouse News Service (via MassLive.com)

A redrafted bill to expand access to e-books and digital audiobooks in Massachusetts would not violate federal law, librarians said Monday, as they sought to quash concerns about a similar law in Maryland that was deemed unconstitutional last year.

State Rep. Ruth Balser’s e-book proposal last session used as a template the popular Maryland bill, which triggered a lawsuit from the Association of American Publishers (AAP), and was sent to study.

[Clip]

“We want to make sure that libraries can continue to meet their mission in the 21st century,” Balser told the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Monday, as she recalled a constituent who informed her about how major publisher companies, such as Amazon, have curtailed libraries’ access to electronic materials.

[Clip]

AAP general counsel Terry Hart said the organization, which represents “hundreds of thousands of authors and creators” in Massachusetts and throughout the country, opposes Balser’s legislation, as well as a similar bill before the committee from former Sen. Anne Gobi, D-Worcester.

[Clip]

The Authors Alliance — a nonprofit organization with 2,500 members from various writing backgrounds, including journalists, poets and academic authors — supports Balser’s bill, Executive Director Dave Hansen said.

Read the Complete Article (about 890 words)

See Also: Hearing Info Page

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