Comments on: You can’t borrow that eBook – it’s worn out! http://gonedigital.net/2011/02/28/you-can%e2%80%99t-borrow-that-ebook-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-worn-out/ Nigel Whitfield’s digital TV & technology blog Fri, 18 May 2012 16:23:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Simon http://gonedigital.net/2011/02/28/you-can%e2%80%99t-borrow-that-ebook-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-worn-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3441 Simon Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:27:03 +0000 http://gonedigital.net/?p=943#comment-3441 Bonkers indeed ! The simple fact that someone seems to be overlooking is that libraries don't get to loan books for free - they pay the publisher for each loan. OK, it's a very small amount per loan, but they still pay per loan. And of course, unless the publisher chooses to give copies away (as my mother did), they bought the books in the first place. No doubt it won't be long (if it's not already happened) before the printed books industry cries about how people are downloading stuff - and so we need even more restrictions and penalties. Incidentally, on the subject of ebook pricing. My mother has signed with some small new startup in Australia who are doing her books in electronic form (and also print for down under). Pricing is set by them, I don't believe we have a say. I did start to look at doing it myself, but I've been struggling to find time. Bonkers indeed !
The simple fact that someone seems to be overlooking is that libraries don’t get to loan books for free – they pay the publisher for each loan. OK, it’s a very small amount per loan, but they still pay per loan.

And of course, unless the publisher chooses to give copies away (as my mother did), they bought the books in the first place.

No doubt it won’t be long (if it’s not already happened) before the printed books industry cries about how people are downloading stuff – and so we need even more restrictions and penalties.

Incidentally, on the subject of ebook pricing. My mother has signed with some small new startup in Australia who are doing her books in electronic form (and also print for down under). Pricing is set by them, I don’t believe we have a say.
I did start to look at doing it myself, but I’ve been struggling to find time.

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