1. Libraries let people read your books. I know, I know, you think that if it weren’t for libraries more people would buy your books, I have bad news for you, if it weren’t for libraries people would read less not buy more books. There is no guarantee that the people who read a library copy could, or would, choose to buy your book. Let’s face it no one who is willing spend 4 months on the waiting list for their favorite author is going to buy that hardback copy and probably not the trade paperback or paperback either (have you seen the price of mass market paperbacks lately?). Instead of seeing that library book as money out of your pocket consider it another book sold that wouldn’t have been and more importantly consider it the gateway drug to your author. Millions of people discover their new favorite author through their local library. 2. Libraries introduce people to your books For children we are a magical place where they can check out 20 or 50 books a week and take them home to read or for parents to read those books. We do story times and other educational and fun programs for
eBooks
Penguin Pulls eBooks From Public Libraries Dropping it Down to 1 of the Big 6 Publishers Playing Nice With Libraries
Yesterday the big news online was Penguin Groups decision to withhold new titles from OverDrive, meaning new Penguin titles are no longer available for library patrons to check out. Additionally Penguin has requested that OverDrive no longer allow library patrons to check out existing Penguin titles on Kindle devices and apps. Penguin’s Official Statement emphasis added by me Penguin has been a long-time supporter of libraries with both physical and digital editions of our books. We have always placed a high value on the role that libraries can play in connecting our authors with our readers. However, due to new concerns about the security of our digital editions, we find it necessary to delay the availability of our new titles in the digital format while we resolve these concerns with our business partners. Penguin’s aim is to always connect writers and readers, and with that goal in mind, we remain committed to working closely with our business partners and the library community to forge a distribution model that is secure and viable. In the meantime, we want to assure you that physical editions of our new titles will continue to be available in libraries everywhere. OverDrive’s Official Statement (which of course came after the Penguin
Why Amazon’s Lending Library is Not a Threat to Public Libraries
I had no idea that Amazon’s announcement would signal the end of the world, or at least the end of public libraries, or as my friend & colleague Andy puts it, the library apocalypse or I would have included this in yesterday’s post. First let’s talk numbers about the Amazon Lending Library* Prime costs $79 a year, that’s roughly $6.58 a month. You must have a Kindle (not an app) to use the Amazon Lending Library, those start at $79. There are 5,000 titles available, (here’s a breakdown by genre) None of the six largest publishers in the U.S. is participating. You get one book per month, that doesn’t roll over. Now library ebook/book numbers (I’m not even going to get into other library services and the availability of a real live person to help you) No additional cost, its covered by taxes You can use any number of devices for ebooks and no device at all required for print Untold numbers of titles available 3 of the largest US publishers allow ebook titles in libraries, all allow print. Unlimited books per month Now let’s talk some other numbers. 12% of U.S. adults own an ereader. Not a Kindle, an ereader, which includes all other dedicated ereaders.
Amazon Announces Kindle Lending Library for Prime Members
If you have been paying attention you knew it was coming. The Kindle Lending Library from Amazon. If you own a Kindle, yes you have to have a device not an app, and a Prime Membership you can now borrow books from Amazon. More Info Kindles start at $79 Prime Membership is $79 a year. You can only borrow one book per calendar month. Right now there are about 5,000 titles. The book currently being borrowed can be read on multiple Kindles. devices, as long as they are registered to the same eligible account, but cannot be read on Kindle reading apps. One book can be borrowed at a time, and there are no due dates. You can borrow a new book as frequently as once a month, directly on your registered Kindle device, and you will be prompted to return the book that you are currently borrowing. If you have already borrowed a book in that calendar month, you are not yet eligible to borrow a new book until the next calendar month. There is no “roll-over” or accrual of unused borrowing eligibility. My 2 cents: Honestly I see this hurting publishers and authors far more than libraries. Sure
Blog Poll: What is the Most You Are Willing to Pay for an eBook? Why?
I thought I would run a little informal poll here on the blog – What’s the most you’ll pay for an ebook? For me that limit is $9.99 but its arbitrary, so I’m curious, what’s your limit? If you feel like it, please leave a comment with your limit and why you chose that limit. Edited/Added for clarification: I’ll pay more than $9.99 for textbooks. Even though I am grumpy that I can’t sell them back at the end of the semester it is worth it not to have to deal with a heavy book that wont stay open and tiny print. Plus the highlighting options are super-freaking awesome! That said I do stick to my limit for $9.99 for other books since I don’t outright own it (can’t loan it, can’t sell it, can’t donate it) I feel that it should cost less than the hardback and not $2.00 less such as Now You See It: How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Learn and of course there are examples where the ebook is more than print, again if I owned it and was not denied my rights it would be a
Reading
