HarperCollins Puts 26 Loan Cap on Ebook Circulations

[Ann]

I am interested to hear what Authors think about this. http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home...

[Ann]

Sounds kind of silly to me....It's not like a hard copy of the book only lasts 26 times and they have to buy a new one...and even then, they aren't being forced to buy a new one.

[Rose]

I just read about this elsewhere and came to the group to see if anyone was chatting about it.

This is really disappointing. I specifically purchased a Nook because of its out-of-the-box compatibility with ebook titles from my local library, and already felt that it was silly to restrict the lending library to having x "copies" out to patrons at once. Now the book's license will self-destruct after being lent 26 times?

I sincerely hope this effort backfires for HC and that other publishers do not follow its example.

[Nita]

As a librarian I find this terrible news. Most books circulate more than 26 times, that's for sure. With a two week check out, the ebooks would last about a year. Libraries are having a hard enough time now as it is without having to buy another copy every year.

My library is starting with ebooks at the end of March and I will be the one selecting the ebooks. I will probably avoid books published by HarperCollins.

[*Suzy (ereaderuser)*]

@Nita - Good for you! That is the only way to show them they are making a terrible decision.

[willaful, dedicated nookworm]

Yes! This is shortsighted in so many ways. There are excellent blog posts around on the topic.

[willaful, dedicated nookworm]

Boycotting: http://boycottharpercollins.com/

[Ann]

According to this NY Times article Simon & Schuster and Macmillan don't even make their e-books available to libraries.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com...

[Jennifer]

Facebook Group (event) was created a few days ago for the boycott. Link below.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.p...

[Angie]

This is awful! 26 times really? That is NOTHING!