Why can’t my library get more copies of e-books and digital audiobooks?
You’re not alone! And there are a couple of reasons you might find yourself on a long wait list for e-content:
- Most materials are licensed, not owned by the library like print books are, and publishers put limits on how long and/or how often the content can be used. Once the limit is reached, the library must re-purchase the license if we want to keep offering the e-content to our community.
- At the same time, e-books and digital audiobooks cost libraries more than print copies and more than what consumers would pay to purchase them commercially.
Here’s a real-time example:
How can you help?
- If you finish with e-content early, please return it so the next person can jump off the waiting list and into the book! Just go to Manage Loan and select Return Early in the Libby App.
- And keep borrowing e-content from your library! The numbers help us advocate for funding.
by Hawaii State Library Association
[ed. Would it hurt publishers or whoever's collecting these licensing fees to be a little more civic-minded by providing complimentary copies to libraries? (or at least getting rid of repurchasing requirements?) Guess so.]
