E-lending e-books in Libraries
Libraries have started to lend books in a new format, e-lending. This is when library members can download e-books for lending via home computers or tablets. Over 70 percent of UK libraries have started to sue e-lending. The Government have said ‘e-books should be available free from every library as an alternative to printed books.’ (1)
E-books are transforming the publishing world and how people get access to books so e-lending could change the way people use libraries which could help libraries to stay open.
‘Technology is changing the way people consume books, and libraries have to change to’ said Mark Taylor of the Chartered Institute of Library and information Professionals (CILIP). (1)
However there is a fear that e-lending will lead to a drop in sales. By borrowing books from libraries authors will not receive any royalties which could lead to major implications for booksellers and publishers as people will see it as being easier to just click and borrow a book rather than just buying it. (1) Also at the moment there is no recognised system for payment which is the reason why authors won’t receive their royalties. (2) Some people have also said that e-lending in libraries will increase the pressure on brick-and-mortar booksellers such as Blackwells and Waterstone’s. James Daunt, m.d. of Waterstone’s has said that ‘If you can download a book for free and read it, why would you want to own it?’ which I feel is a very valid point to of made. (3)
A review of e-lending will take place soon which will be led by William Sieghart, the founder of Forward Publishing and Forward Prize for poetry. In this review the panel will discuss issues such as the benefits, current levels and expected future for e-lending. (4)
If publishers and libraries work quickly with the e-lending system they can then make sure that library, authors and publishers will all benefit from the service. One thing that publishers will have to take into account is that if e-lending becomes a successful service, then e-lending will have to be written in authors contracts. For every book loaned authors could receive royalties for this. I feel that by charging a small fee for lending books or by paying a joining fee to the libraries e-lending service would be a good idea, as then the money made can be shared between the publishers, authors and library. For example ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ was one of the best selling summer novels this year. If it was able to be borrowed with a small charge the publishing will make more as people will be able to buy physical books, e-books and borrow e-books. The only problem is that the sales of the actual book and e-book version could decrease due to it being simple easier and cheaper to borrow the book.
‘I don’t believe that they will replace printed books or other information sources totally, but they will complement and enhance them.’ Janene Cox, President of the Society of Chief Librarians said about library e-lending
1. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9569241/Libraries-urged-to-embrace-e-lending.html (Accessed on 12/11/2012)
2. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/sep/27/ebook-lending-libraries-government-review (Accessed on 12/11/2012)
3. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/daunt-library-e-lending-disruptive-high-street.html (Accessed on 12/11/2012)
4. http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/9366.aspx (Accessed on 12/11/2012)
E-books are transforming the publishing world and how people get access to books so e-lending could change the way people use libraries which could help libraries to stay open.
‘Technology is changing the way people consume books, and libraries have to change to’ said Mark Taylor of the Chartered Institute of Library and information Professionals (CILIP). (1)
However there is a fear that e-lending will lead to a drop in sales. By borrowing books from libraries authors will not receive any royalties which could lead to major implications for booksellers and publishers as people will see it as being easier to just click and borrow a book rather than just buying it. (1) Also at the moment there is no recognised system for payment which is the reason why authors won’t receive their royalties. (2) Some people have also said that e-lending in libraries will increase the pressure on brick-and-mortar booksellers such as Blackwells and Waterstone’s. James Daunt, m.d. of Waterstone’s has said that ‘If you can download a book for free and read it, why would you want to own it?’ which I feel is a very valid point to of made. (3)
A review of e-lending will take place soon which will be led by William Sieghart, the founder of Forward Publishing and Forward Prize for poetry. In this review the panel will discuss issues such as the benefits, current levels and expected future for e-lending. (4)
If publishers and libraries work quickly with the e-lending system they can then make sure that library, authors and publishers will all benefit from the service. One thing that publishers will have to take into account is that if e-lending becomes a successful service, then e-lending will have to be written in authors contracts. For every book loaned authors could receive royalties for this. I feel that by charging a small fee for lending books or by paying a joining fee to the libraries e-lending service would be a good idea, as then the money made can be shared between the publishers, authors and library. For example ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ was one of the best selling summer novels this year. If it was able to be borrowed with a small charge the publishing will make more as people will be able to buy physical books, e-books and borrow e-books. The only problem is that the sales of the actual book and e-book version could decrease due to it being simple easier and cheaper to borrow the book.
‘I don’t believe that they will replace printed books or other information sources totally, but they will complement and enhance them.’ Janene Cox, President of the Society of Chief Librarians said about library e-lending
1. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9569241/Libraries-urged-to-embrace-e-lending.html (Accessed on 12/11/2012)
2. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/sep/27/ebook-lending-libraries-government-review (Accessed on 12/11/2012)
3. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/daunt-library-e-lending-disruptive-high-street.html (Accessed on 12/11/2012)
4. http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/9366.aspx (Accessed on 12/11/2012)