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All sides in the library e-book lending issue—publishers, librarians, authors' representatives and booksellers—have showed unity in welcoming the broad recommendations of the Sieghart Review into library e-lending, published yesterday (27th March).
However some reservations have been voiced on remote lending, with Blackwell's m.d. David Prescott warning libraries have the potential to "distort the marketplace".
Key recommendations made by the Review were that e-lending should be free and should be available remotely, but have "friction" built in, such as limiting each e-book to one loan at a time, with copies "deteriorating" with multiple use. The Review also recommended that the PLR money pot be increased and applied to e-book loans. Pilots are to go ahead this year to gather further data on e-lending use and behaviour.
Richard Mollet, chief executive of the Publishers Association (PA), said: "It's good to see Sieghart is proposing pilots and further research into how e-lending might come about. It is also good he's noted there needs to be friction in the system. Having e-books that can deteriorate is one of a number of ideas that can be introduced to see what works."
He added: "There's an understandable caution to the potential damage that could be done if it's not bought in in a way that sees the need for sustainable business, but publishers are looking forward to taking part in the pilot schemes."
Both Hachette and Random House expressed support for the Review. Ursula Mackenzie, the c.e.o. of Little, Brown, speaking on behalf of Hachette, said: "We welcome the publication of the Sieghart Review and its acknowledgement that the issue of e-lending needs to be managed in a way that makes sense for all. We are wholly supportive of libraries as centres of communities and we look forward to working with our authors to explore further the review's recommendations and, in particular, the technical, commercial and PLR implications of those recommendations."
A spokesperson for Random House said: "We believe that in the long term it is both desirable and appropriate for public libraries to participate in e-book lending and we look forward to actively participating in future discussions and appropriate pilots to help shape the way forward."
Profile m.d. Andrew Franklin commented: "The suggested frictions that are put in place seem to make perfect sense in creating a parity between e-books and the print versions. The only addition I would suggest people should have to be signed-up member of their local library before accessing digital services, which I am sure will be the case."
Booksellers broadly supported the recommendations, though with some concerns. Sydney Davies, head of trade and industry at the Bookseller Association, said the body was "pleased" with the recommendations. "We particularly welcome the core principle that the loan of digital books should emulate the loan of print books, i.e. one book per loan and
repurchasing after a certain number of loans," he said. He added that the suggestion that readers may be encouraged to buy titles after borrowing them, through links to local shops, was also positive. But, he warned that there should be a tight definition of "library members" when remote borrowing is allowed, with controls in place to ensure the rules are followed.
Blackwell's m.d. David Prescott said he broadly supported the Review, although believed libraries were missing an opportunity to raise money for their book fund by not charging for e-book lending. He added: "Where I have more concerns is with regards to the remote lending of e-books. Remote e-book lending on a substantial scale by libraries has the potential to distort the marketplace. As publically funded organisations, safeguards should be put in place to ensure the taxpayer is not involved in distorting competitive markets."
Deputy secretary general of the Society of Authors Kate Pool said: "It was nice to see so much of Sieghart take a look at PLR and how authors are compensated. Obviously there a still of details to work out, but it is good that it sees there is a potential commercial impact from e-lending, and that needs addressing."
Meanwhile, in the US Penguin has announced that it will allow public libraries to lend e-book versions of new releases, with no "windowing" period. Previously, Penguin had restricted new releases by delaying libraries from offering them for six months after release. American Library Association president Maureen Sullivan told the Associated Press: "I am pleased to learn that Penguin's pilot is confirming what research suggests and librarians believe: There is more to be gained than lost when publishers work with libraries." Penguin US director of online sales and marketing Tom McCall said: "We feel that we're ready to take the next step and offer what consumers and libraries have been asking for."
In the US HarperCollins, Hachette and Penguin allow libraries to lend one e-edition at a time, with copies expiring a year after purchase.