Columbus libraries taking stand against Macmillan Publishers after limits to e-book access
The Columbus Metropolitan Library is taking a stand against one of the "big 5" book publishing companies. That means your favorite e-book or audio book may not be available for awhile. (WSYX/WTTE)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WYSX/WTTE) — The Columbus Metropolitan Library is taking a stand against one of the "big 5" book publishing companies. That means your favorite e-book or audio book may not be available for awhile.
"Each e-book may only be downloaded by one customer at a time,” Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO, Patrick Losinski said.
Publishing companies charge libraries up to 6 times the cost an e-book or audio book would be to a regular customer, and after a certain time period or number of downloads, libraries are often required to re-purchase them in order to keep them in stock.
"So we may buy 50-70-100 copies to satisfy demand,” Losinski said. “Macmillan is now saying to us you only are able to by one."
Macmillan Publishers is placing limits which seem to be a little too extreme to siblings, Pal and Sara Allen.
“Why are they being limited? I don't understand that at all, because I’m not your typical reader who will go buy it if you can't get it at the library, I’ll just wait,” Paul Allen said.
They’re backing the library's decision to stop purchasing any e-book or audio books from Macmillan until something changes.
"I think it's reasonable for the library to act in the best interest of its patrons, and if this particular company is doing something that's not keeping with the rest of the industry then I think it’s totally reasonable for them to divert their resources elsewhere,” Sara Allen said.
Several other large library systems are taking the same stance.
Losinski said the House Judiciary Committee is looking into this issue and the laws governing library use.
“We will not be spending our e-book dollars with Macmillan. We will be spending those dollars with publishers who are selling full access to libraries,” Losinski said.
The American Library Association has launched the #eBooksForAll Campaign. The ALA's petition has already received more than 200,000 signatures, urging Macmillan Publishers to drop the embargo.
We reached out to Macmillan Publishers with several questions but have yet to hear back.
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