Libraries struggle to afford e-books, seek new laws in fight with publishers

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Library e-book economics and licensing

  • Many commenters say e-book licenses cost libraries far more than print (e.g., ~$18 for hardcover vs ~$55 for a time‑limited e-book that may also have loan caps like 26 checkouts or 2 years).
  • Expiring licenses lead to incomplete series and loss of backlist titles; some fear this nudges readers toward only new, promoted works.
  • Some librarians report “take it or leave it” terms from publishers and inability to negotiate meaningfully; others argue libraries could buy used physical books and do their own prep.

Copyright, monopoly, and “free market” debate

  • Strong disagreement over whether this is a “free market”:
    • One side: copyright is a state‑granted monopoly that distorts markets; current problems stem from overlong, restrictive copyright and DRM.
    • Other side: publishers and authors simply charging what the market will bear; libraries and universities are captive buyers, not normal consumers.
  • Proposed fixes range from abolishing copyright entirely to shortening terms (e.g., back toward ~14 years), or tying continued copyright to making copies available to libraries.

Textbooks, academic publishing, and piracy

  • Textbook/academic publishing seen as especially abusive: mandatory new editions, bundled expiring online codes, high prices, and cancelled university subscriptions.
  • Several people say students now “just pirate textbooks” and consider it justified, especially for expensive, cartel‑like academic titles.
  • Others raise ethics: piracy may hurt smaller authors; some argue the real winners of sales are middlemen, not writers.

Role and future of libraries

  • Some argue public libraries are obsolete for information access, suggesting vouchers or Kindle‑style programs instead.
  • Many push back, emphasizing libraries as community hubs: children’s programs, cooling centers, Wi‑Fi for those without, jail outreach, archives, makerspaces, and access for people who cannot afford devices or books.
  • There is concern that rising digital costs plus political/copyright pressures will “enshittify” libraries or hollow out their collections.

Reform ideas and alternatives

  • Ideas floated: enforce first‑sale for digital goods; legalize format‑shifting and controlled digital lending; mandate analytics‑based billing; collective licensing models; more funding and mandates for open‑access and open textbooks; author cooperatives offering library‑friendly licenses.
  • Some see illegal libraries (LibGen, Z‑Library, etc.) as the only effective counterweight to publisher power; others view them as ethically mixed but socially beneficial for the poor.