E-Books And Libraries

Saturday, September 01, 2012

E-Books And Libraries

The Diane Rehm Show

Guest Host:Frank Sesno

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

A woman reads an e-book at a book fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.

(AP Photo/Michael Probst)

E-Books And Libraries

More than three-quarters of the nation's public libraries lend books electronically, a fact that's not widely known among the reading public. Some publishers worry that e-book borrowers don't buy books. But a recent study suggests that among those who read books electronically, 41 percent of those who borrow them from the library purchased their most recent e-book. Guest host Frank Sesno and his guests discuss the current and future role of e-books at our nation's libraries.

In the past year, libraries have seen a sharp growth in e-book borrowing. That trend is transforming the relationship between libraries and publishers. Libraries need to offer electronic books to remain relevant today. But some publishers worry lending e-books will lead to piracy and loss of sales. Two of the big six publishers license their e-books to libraries. Others are exploring pilot programs or have declined to participate. Many library patrons are frustrated with the limited availability of titles and long waiting lists. And some buy a copy of the e-book anyway. Guest host, Frank Sesno, and his guests discuss the challenges of e-booking lending at the library.

Guests

Jeremy Greenfield

editorial director of F+W Media's Digital Book World.

Carrie Russell

director of the Program for Public Access to Information, Office of Information Technology, The American Library Association.

Allan Adler

vice president of legal and government affairs at the Association of American Publishers.

Vailey Oehlke

director of libraries at Multnomah County Library in Portland, Ore.

Listen

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Saturday, September 01, 2012