ebooks can't be donated to local libraries - what?!?

[Nevada]

While checking out some books at the library the other day I thought I would find out how to donate all of these ebooks I've been accumulating lately since I rarely read a book twice, especially if the series is complete. Apparently I was the first person to ask the librarian this question as she didn't know the answer. After a couple days she calls me back to let me know that my ebooks cannot be donated as they are a "single, limited use" book. Further, the ebooks that libraries purchase are limited to the number of times a title can be lent, after they reach their limit they have to re-purchase the book, this is not true of regular books (unless you count a printed book's normal wear & tear).

This really seems wrong to me. The format of the book should not alter the rights of the purchase. At the very least, ebooks should be donateable (might not be a word, but you know what I mean) with the same limited use properties attached.

What do you all think?

[Viola]

Nevada wrote: "Further, the ebooks that libraries purchase are limited to the number of times a title can be lent, after they reach their limit they have to re-purchase the book, this is not true of regular books (unless you count a printed book's normal wear & tear)..."

I knew this, and it isn't the library’s fault, it is with those that publish e-books.

[Nevada]

Viola wrote: " I knew this, and it isn't the library’s fault, it is with those that publish e-books. "

Oh I know, it makes me mad for the libraries. They have such limited funding and rely so heavily on donations that having an entire type of donation disallowed really hurts them. And really I have a problem with not being able to dispose of my purchase in whatever manner I choose, including donation.

[Vanessa]

I agree. They own that copy of the book just as they do any physical copy. I can understand not being able to lend out the same digital book to more than one person at a time, but limiting how many times they can lend it out total before having to repurchase it does seem completely out of line. It's like the publishers don't want libraries to use e-books as a viable lending format, and maybe they don't.

[Camilla]

This is so sad! It never even occurred to me to try this. Good for you for thinking of it, at least. Ebooks are still in a weird place. Hopefully that changes soon.