Outbreak Loosens E-Book Rules for Libraries

Book publisher Macmillan rescinded its policy that restricted libraries from buying e-books for the first two months after release. The change will take effect March 20. “There are times in life when differences should be put aside,” Macmillan CEO John Sargent said in a letter to authors and libraries. “We will be lowering some ebook prices on a short term basis to help expand libraries’ collections in these difficult times.” The American Library Association praised Macmillan’s move. “Equitable access to digital content is more important than ever as libraries continue to serve their communities amid rapidly changing circumstances,” said Alan Inouye, ALA director of public policy.

The change leaves Amazon as the biggest US publisher to restrict e-book sales to libraries. The retailer lets libraries buy physical copies or audiobooks of its titles, but not e-books. “We are in the business of providing information to people,” Julie Holden, president of the Rhode Island Library Association, said at a Tuesday hosted by House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline. “For them to start cutting us out of the e-book marketplace is a huge problem.”