During the American Library Association (ALA) Annual
Conference in Chicago last week, Maureen Sullivan, president of ALA announced
the launch of “Authors for Library Ebooks,” a new initiative that asks authors
to stand with libraries in their quest for equitable access to e-books.
Bestselling authors Cory Doctorow, Ursula K. Le Guin and Jodi Picoult are
helping kick off the campaign.
The campaign represents an extension of the ALA’s
advocacy strategy to ensure all people have access to the world’s knowledge and
literature through our nation’s libraries—regardless of format. Over the past
18 months, ALA leaders have met with major publishers, distributors, authors
and representative associations to seek sustainable solutions for library
e-book lending.
“The heart of the issue is that access to authors’ works
through libraries is being restricted— hurting discovery, reading choice,
literacy and the simple love of reading,” said ALA President Maureen Sullivan.
“Many e-books are still not available to most libraries at any price. Of those
we can buy, the library frequently pays 150-500 percent more than the consumer
price, forcing libraries to purchase fewer copies for library readers.
“We’ve made some progress over the past year, but not far
or fast enough to meet the growing needs of our communities,” Sullivan added.
Libraries support authors in a range of ways, including:
• Exposure.
Libraries help authors get noticed through author events, book clubs, readers
advisory and features on library websites;
• Sales.
Research shows that library loans encourage people to buy books. Many libraries
now even provide an option for people to click and “buy-it-now” from their websites.
• Respect.
Libraries honor authors’ work by protecting copyright and paying for the
content they lend.
• Love of
reading. Libraries help grow readers – and writers.
“My first job was at a library, and one of the things
that I remember so clearly is the wide range of people who came in our doors
every day. Young, old, rich, poor—libraries encourage exploration and a love of
reading,” Picoult said. “Whether it’s a digital file or a paper copy, I want
readers to find my books—and all books—in their libraries! I stand with
libraries—and I invite other authors to join me in the campaign for library
e-books for all.”
Both Le Guin and Doctorow also have written and spoken
about the need to improve access to e-books and innovate in ways that support
reader choice and reader privacy.
