Submitted by the San Juan Public Library

On July 25, Macmillan Publishing announced it would become the only major, Big 5, publisher to limit eBook lending for U.S. libraries. Under its new licensing model, scheduled to begin Nov. 1, a library may purchase one copy upon release of a new title in eBook format, after which the publisher will impose an eight-week embargo on additional copies of that title sold to libraries.

As American Library Association president Wanda Brown asserted that same day, “Macmillan Publishers’ new model for library eBook lending will make it difficult for libraries to fulfill our central mission: ensuring access to information for all. Macmillan’s new policy is unacceptable.”

And Public Library Association president Ramiro Salazar stated, “Access to digital content in libraries is more than a financial issue: it is an equity issue. We encourage Macmillan Publishers to reverse course before libraries and the people they serve are harmed.”

Millions of people now use digital content as their preferred or only access to books, music, and movies. Digital content is portable, accessible to people with print disabilities, available anywhere 24/7, and brokered by libraries to provide diverse options to our diverse communities.

Libraries not only pay for books; they market them. Lost marketing means lost publicity and sales for publishers and authors.

San Juan Island Library joins the ALA in denouncing this measure and calling for Macmillan Publishing to cancel the embargo and restore full access to its complete eBook catalog upon release to the public.

Furthermore, San Juan Island Library affirms the principles that:

All published works must be available for libraries to purchase and lend to library users.

Access to and use of eBooks must equitably balance the rights and privileges of readers, authors and publishers.

Digital content must be accessible to all people, regardless of physical or reading disability.

Library patrons must be able to access digital content on the device of their choosing.

Reading records must remain private in the digital age.

Comments may be addressed to Mr. John Sargent, Chief Executive Officer, Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

For more information, visit the San Juan Island Library at 1010 Guard Street or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Our website, sjlib.org offers streaming movies, downloadable eBooks and audiobooks, and a wide range of online databases and access to all of our collections. Questions? Call us at 360-378-2798