BA uneasy over library e-book proposals

The Booksellers Association is meeting its council members after expressing concerns over the government’s long-awaited library review proposed a ban on the sector charging for e-books.

The Library Modernisation Review, published this week by culture minister Margaret Hodge, said the government would make an “affirmative order preventing libraries from charging for e-books lending of any sort, including remotely”.

Tim Godfray, chief executive of the BA, said he had “concerns” over the issue, with the BA council meeting yesterday [Thursday] to discuss the matter. In a submission sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 25th January, the BA said it was “worried about the loaning of e-books in the library market”.

The submission also said there was “undeniable tension” between the library world and authors, publishers and booksellers. It stated: “The former want to give as much information to their ‘customers’ for free; the latter to make a living by creating, producing and selling copyrighted material.”

However, Alicia Wise, head of digital publishing at the Publishers Association, backed the proposal, saying “people should be able to access books whether it’s e-books or physical books”. 

She added there were different models for libraries to experiment with, including Bloomsbury’s Public Library Online, an online access model for libraries, which was introduced last May. The service allows libraries access to a website with digital themed bookshelves and includes titles from publishers including Faber, Quercus and Canongate.

Fiona Marriott, principal librarian for adult services at Luton, said the situation was “difficult” because the set-up costs for e-book systems could be “very large”. She added she was “concerned” that if the proposal for free e-book loans goes ahead those who were previously undecided over whether to supply e-books would be more likely­ not to because of the cost involved.

Marriott said libraries could look at sponsorship as a way of financing e-books.

According to Fiona Williams, president of the Society of Chief Librarians, there are currently 14 authorities providing e-books, none of which charge.

Williams said library reading, whether of large print, audiobooks or e-books, should not be a charged-for service. She suggested libraries could work as a consortium to break up the cost of providing the service.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has said its library statistics would be published next month. The figures had been scheduled for release on 22nd March.