[Libs-Or] State Library of Kansas Launched Facebook Campaign To Highlight Publishers That Won't Sell E-Books to Libraries

[Jennifer Maurer]

For those who are following news about e-books and libraries, you might be interested in an article from The Wichita Eagle. It's by Dion Lefler and was published 11/12/12.
     http://www.kansas.com/2012/11/12/2566298/kansas-state-librarys-facebook.html#storylink=misearch

Here's an excerpt:
The Kansas State Library has launched a social-media campaign against what it says are unfair practices to keep bestselling electronic books out of the hands of libraries and their patrons.

Library officials have started a page on Facebook, www.facebook.com/thebig6ebooks<http://www.facebook.com/thebig6ebooks>, "bringing attention to the titles publishers are refusing to sell (as) e-books to libraries, price gouging or limiting checkouts per copy purchased."

The site names six large publishing firms, Hachette, Macmillan, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster; and Random House and Penguin Group, which recently announced that they are merging their operations. The companies publish most of the popular bestsellers in the country, the librarians said.

"Writing to publishers and complaining to each other about the publisher/library e-book conflict wasn't enough," State Librarian Jo Budler said in a statement. "We needed a (social media) platform of our own to come together with the public and really take a look at the content not available." ...

This is from the About section of the "The Big 6 - eBooks in Libraries" Facebook page:
About
Six major publishers are making it difficult, if not impossible, for libraries to purchase eBooks. Those same six publishers are responsible for publishing nearly all the bestsellers.

Description
What are these publishers doing to libraries?
* Charging libraries 300% for an eBook
* Selling eBooks for only 26 checkouts
* REFUSING to sell ANY eBooks to Libraries
FYI,
Jen
Jennifer Maurer
School Library Consultant
Oregon State Library
250 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
503.378.5011
jennifer.maurer at state.or.us<mailto:jennifer.maurer at state.or.us>

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