Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Embargo

When I hear the word embargo, I usually think of trade bans, economics, and political circumstances between countries. But a different type of embargo has been happening since November 1, and if you are a library patron, this is affecting you. 


Poudre River Public Library

Elkton Library

Macmillan Publishers has recently introduced a "1-copy only" embargo of all their new eBook titles for the first 60 days of publication. Because of this change, we will not be purchasing any Macmillan titles until 60 days after publication.

The above statement appears on the website of two different libraries where I am a patron. Kym has talked about this before, and as a librarian, Carole is dealing with the headaches and finances of ebooks every day. There are new purchasing models so that instead of libraries having perpetual access to each book they purchase, they have to re-purchase the books after two years. Macmillan Publishers is going as far as to impose an eight-week embargo on public libraries for the purchase of new ebook titles. Libraries may only purchase a single copy of new ebook titles during the first eight weeks of its release. I think most of us have noticed an increase in wait times for ebooks. While lengthy wait times are not solely due to Macmillan's one copy embargo, it is a contributing factor. When it comes right down to it, Macmillan is limiting public library access. 
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Here's the truth: Limiting access to new titles for libraries means limiting access for readers like you. 

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So what can you do? Go here and sign the American Library Association (ALA) petition demanding ebooks for all. This may seem like a relatively minor thing now, but it particularly affects readers with disabilities who may not be able to just stop by the library to pick up a hard copy. While Macmillan is the only major publisher to currently institute this policy, things could get much worse if the other four major publishers do the same thing. I can't imagine any publisher instituting similar convoluted and expensive policies on print books, and I don't think it's fair to deny access to ebooks. 

Thanks to Becky, who sent me the ALA link and asked me to share this on the blog!


19 comments:

  1. THANK YOU! This is so frustrating for libraries and library patrons. Libraries circulate printed books, music CDs, DVDs, magazines and more without limits. Ebooks shouldn't be any different. I appreciate that you are raising awareness of the unfairness of this policy.

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  2. Or, you could buy the e-books. Writers' incomes from their work have been declining sharply since the growth of e-books. Author's Guild says the average writer's income is down 42% from 2009. Wow! I wonder how many of us would be happy with that.

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    1. I do personally buy lots of ebooks, but I also use the library as my book budget isn't infinite. I am also lucky to be able to buy books or walk to the library for a hard copy, but that is not a luxury that everyone enjoys. This embargo hurts libraries, library patrons, and authors.

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  3. Done. I have benefited so much from the library over the years, and I know what an amazing resource it is. I am lucky that I can afford to buy a book when I want to read it, but not everyone has that luxury.

    Thank you for reminding me that it's also time to send in my donation to my local library!

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  4. Thanks Bonny! I've added my signature.

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  5. Thanks for posting, Bonny. I think your explanation was very clear. I think authors and publishers should make a generous amount of money for their efforts (how could we live without books?), but I don't think limiting access to books for people who cannot afford to buy them is the answer. Literacy is the backbone of a civil society.

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  6. Thank you for explaining this and for the link to speak out about this. My library is my lifeline. My sanity. My haven. My community - which is the most important place ever to me! I do not have an unlimited budget to purchase books. I rely heavily on the library.

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  7. Well, I'm glad you shared this. Publishers have been doing variations of this ever since electronic publications became available. Hopefully now that it is hitting public libraries, and more people therefore become aware of these practices, something can be done.

    Don't even get me started on e-journal licensing agreements ...

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  8. Thanks, Bonny! Libraries = Access.

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  9. The named of the game: money! E-books are almost as expensive as print versions. Quiet as it’s kept,the publishing industry has never fully embraced public libraries and the substantial $$$ spent by them purchasing books for the public! Petitions signed and I’ll just refrain from buying Macmillan, too. That’ll show ‘em!
    Thanks for sharing this all important information!

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  10. Done! Thanks for sharing this information, Bonny! I don't know what I'd do without access to books through my local library!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! I feel the same way (and so did Carl Sagan):
      "The health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries." — Carl Sagan

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  11. I heard (on a podcast) that other publisher will likely not follow suit as they find more access to the public (through libraries) actually adds to the publics interest in buying books in general. They see (why doesn't MacMillan?) that their bottom line is enhanced by access.

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  12. I will and i will pass to Allison my library science soon to be graduate

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    1. Great! She'll soon be dealing with this and all the other intricacies of library science.

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  13. Done! I recently went looking for an Agatha Christie and ran into this due to an expiration!

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  14. Thanks Bonny. I had heard some about this but now have the details. Why is $$ always the way to measure value?

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  15. Done! I also think Honore has the right idea. We all vote with our dollars.

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  16. wow! That is a weird thing to do... I use my elibrary but most of my titles are old.

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Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment! :-)