Inside libraries' battle for better e-book access

Librarians are mounting a fierce state-by-state battle against the high prices they pay to provide patrons with e-books—so far, with little to show for it. The ongoing dispute threatens library patrons' access to e-books. Publishers typically require libraries to renew the license to each e-book every two years, or after 26 loans—policies that libraries call prohibitively expensive. This restricts the number of e-books—particularly popular bestsellers—that they can lend out to patrons, who are angry and baffled by the limitations. The Association of American Publishers argues that it must protect the rights of copyright owners—that is, authors—to be fairly compensated for their work. A Connecticut bill to boost libraries' bargaining power in e-book negotiations was tabled recently after a three-hour debate in the state House of Representatives. Similar bills are under consideration in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.