The problem with ebooks and libraries is that there should be no problem

by Paul Oliver

According to a article concerning Ohio public libraries, it isn't readers that have the problem with ebooks at libraries.

One of the slower-burning arguments in the digital realm concerns the role of ebooks within the public library system. Much of this argument has centered around DRM use. Librarians and their patrons hate DRM. Publishers and writers reluctantly need it.

Part of this is the obvious issue over shelf-life. A physical book that is popular, perhaps a perennial favorite, will have to be replaced from time to time. The wear and tear of being a library book is substantial. This means additional sales for writers and publishers. If it is a very popular book, whether in the stacks or at the front of the library on display, the library might end up stocking multiple copies of that title to better serve the demand from readers. Again, boon for writers and publishers.

In the past, when libraries had better funding, this system was acceptable. Now though, when it comes to ebooks, they are finding it increasingly hard to stomach. Buying multiple copies of an ebook, or having to replace one that has been limited to a number of uses through DRM, is something that might not be in the budgets.

An article from the Ohio Times-Reporter that discusses this point:

“There are many copyright issues involved that have made it difficult to provide patrons with everything they want,” he points out. “For example, there are several publishing companies that are currently refusing to sell electronic versions of their titles for library use. HarperCollins will sell e-books to libraries, but they set a limit that their titles can only circulate 26 times. “

The issue with HarperCollins is somewhat old news, of course. (See our earlier report if you missed it.) But this article goes on to quote some very interesting statistics that hint at an upcoming crisis point. Solutions need to be arrived at. The following quote concerns the Ohio library system:

Before Christmas, the average daily usage at participating libraries was about 1,500 checkouts per day. After Christmas, usage rose to about 2,500 per day.

Yeah. We thought that should be in bold.

Part of the “hold your breath” of the DRM and ebooks in libraries conversation centered around the question of whether readers were going to adopt in a big way. A 66% increase in one state’s library system, and a figure like 2,500 checkouts per day, is a figure that librarians and publishers cannot ignore.

This of course takes us back to the original issue of use. An ebook obviously never falls apart. And without DRM a single copy can be duplicated for free. Add to the the equation the fact that libraries are working with the tattered vestiges of their former budgets and you have a serious issue.

Oh wait… It’s the same issue. The difference is that local and state level authorities have been cutting the budgets. That’s the reality: it’s the same old problem.

The bottom line? Publishers and libraries are going to have to sort out their differences if they want to keep all of these new readers.

Paul Oliver is the marketing manager of Melville House. Previously he was co-owner of Wolfgang Books in Philadelphia.

8 Comments

Anony at 2:39 am on January 10, 2012

I did not know this! Thanks for writing it.
Etc at 5:58 am on January 10, 2012

Given how easy it is to strip any eBook of its DRM in a matter of seconds (other than Apple’s Fairplay), I must admit I don’t think libraries should really have anything to do with eBooks. Sad, but the technology is too easily circumvented and eBooks too easily stolen. If any important editor or executive had actually tried, and succeeded, in stripping their eBooks of DRM, they would be awake to this. As it is, I bet not one in a hundred have any idea how ridiculously simple it is.

With competing eReaders proliferating, and people looking to migrate their eBooks between providers, millions of people are going to be getting crash-courses in making DRM irrelevant.
Dustin Voliva at 9:45 am on January 10, 2012

All DRM is inherently strippable.

The majority of the patrons who visit a library probably wouldn’t buy the book as library services are heavily used by low-income patrons anyway. Taking eBooks from the libraries will lead to:
1. Drop in current revenue for publishers because they aren’t selling _anything_ to a library.
2. Loss of future revenue for publishers because readers like to purchase books of their favorite authors and how do they do find a favorite author (Bingo! Library!).
3. Increased digital theft. A library makes getting an eBook easier than stealing it. See JK Rowling. Did her not making it available as an eBook prevent its digital theft? Heck no. The market was there – the pirates filled the void. So, instead of making lots of money on eBook sales she made zero and still had it stolen. The point is to make it easy to consume legally. You can compete with free.
Ifeoha Azikiwe at 11:03 am on January 10, 2012

Great, ridding fast and high on the information supper highway
Bellona at 12:23 pm on January 10, 2012

DRM is not necessary. I know it’s a scary thought for publishers and authors to entertain but it’s a waste of money to pay people to encrypt your files. As a digital consumer I make it a point of duty to (very easily) break DRM on any file I purchase (with very free programmes). It’s almost a need when it comes to ebooks because I don’t want to worry about what format goes with what device. You may depend on the older reading set to not necessarily be so tech savvy, but DRM cracking is likely to be as natural as breathing to those who grew up with iPods/Pads.

What publishers and authors actually need is a plan in which you make the legitimate option very attractive and as close to the easy lifestyle of paper book reading as possible. Unfortunately, your retailers are more concerned with locking consumers in to their formats.

iTunes was rather a benign overlord for buyers because its DRM, whether FairPlay or not, was a joke. Figured it was a wink to us and a “too bad so sad” to the record companies. Amazon is far less chummy to all involved, however.
Anthea at 11:20 am on January 11, 2012

I find it very depressing that the assumption is that people are going to steal. Surely only those with the sort of mind that would nick money from an open purse or shoplift would this it right and fair to steal a book from a library – whether hard copy or an e-book
James at 2:59 pm on January 11, 2012

“Librarians and their patrons hate DRM. Publishers and writers reluctantly need it.”
I respect the role that DRM is meant to be playing for publishers, but I question whether it’s truly needed. Imposing an artificial restriction on a work seems churlish, inefficient and a messy stop-gap measure until a better digital model comes along.

There seems to have been an historical reluctance within the publishing industry to come up with better ideas…and the blame for that is shifted onto individuals that dare ‘copy’ or share literature with each other. Maybe not – but it feels that books are following music and film down a scary and restrictive rabbit hole…
Hugh Rundle at 11:09 pm on January 12, 2012

This author obviously has no idea what is actually happening with libraries and eBooks. It’s not a question of libraries’ ability to pay – publishers are actively refusing to license libraries to loan eBooks, regardless of price. The problem with ebooks is actually that once books become non-physical EVERYTHING changes – but we are all treating them like they’re just the same thing in a different physical format, like paperbacks or talking CDs.

January 10, 2012

The problem with ebooks and libraries is that there should be no problem

by Paul Oliver