E-books in Libraries

ALA upholds Maryland e-books law and state’s defense as federal district court issues preliminary injunction

WASHINGTON--On February 16, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted a preliminary injunction of Maryland’s library digital book law in the case of Association of American Publishers v. Brian Frosh. The legislation, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, requires publishers who sell e-book licenses to Maryland consumers to also sell licenses to Maryland public libraries “on reasonable terms.” Court proceedings continue towards final adjudication of the complaint by the Association of American Publishers.

ALA disappointed in New York Governor's rejection of ebook equity legislation

WASHINGTON, DC — On Dec. 29, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation that would require publishers to offer licenses for electronic books to libraries under reasonable terms (S2890B / A5837B). The bills had passed the New York state senate and assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support in June 2021. ALA President Patricia “Patty” Wong issued the following statement: 

ALA Joint Digital Content Working Group paper calls for improved access, licensing models, pricing to serve readers

CHICAGO - “The Need for Change: A Position Paper on E-Lending by the ALA Joint Digital Content Working Group” examines digital lending in public, academic, and K-12 school libraries. The paper notes current and long-standing challenges in digital content lending and the issues that complicate acquisition of, user access to, and preservation of digital information.

Access to ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman textbooks during the COVID-19 pandemic

CHICAGO — Used in a variety of courses, ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman’s textbooks are available in e-book format for libraries and individuals through aggregators and other distributors. To help maintain academic continuity during the pandemic, we are making our textbooks easier to access through the following promotions. Institutions interested in these offers should contact their vendor representative directly.

Access to ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman e-books during the COVID-19 pandemic

CHICAGO — In response to the need to support remote access to information during the COVID-19 outbreak, ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman is making materials easier to access through the following promotions. Institutions interested in offers outside the ALA Store should contact their vendor representative directly.

ALA welcomes cancellation of Macmillan embargo

WASHINGTON, DC — Today Macmillan Publishers announced that it would return to the library e-book pricing model that was in effect on Oct. 31, 2019, effectively canceling the embargo on sales of new titles to libraries, a policy which went into effect on Nov. 1, 2019. American Library Association Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Alan Inouye made the following statement:

ALA turns to Congress as Macmillan ignores public call to reverse library e-book embargo

WASHINGTON—Today Macmillan Publishers begins to limit access to e-books through America’s libraries by instituting an eight-week embargo on library e-book purchases. Despite robust public demand to reverse the policy, the publisher is moving ahead with its plan to limit sales to public libraries. Regardless the size of the library – from large library systems in Washington State and rural libraries in Rhode Island to entire statewide consortiums of small libraries such as in Wisconsin – Macmillan will sell only one copy of a new e-book title for the first two months after release.

ALA delivers #eBooksForAll Petition, with 160,000+ Signatures, to Macmillan Publishers

Library leaders, publishers meet to discuss growing opposition to library e-book embargo as Congress undertakes inquiry

NEW YORK – Today American Library Association (ALA) leaders, members and supporters delivered a petition with nearly 160,000 signatures to Macmillan Publishers CEO John Sargent, urging him to reverse the new policy that will limit libraries’ access to e-books. Signed by readers, authors, library staff and patrons from all 50 states, the #eBooksForAll petition demands that library access to e-books not be delayed or denied.