Libraries and e-books

USA TODAYNation



E-books are a hot story at libraries
Public libraries across the USA are seeing a surge in demand for electronic books at a time many are facing budget cuts that make it difficult to satisfy it.

By Emily Spartz




OverDrive Inc., which supplies electronic books to 13,000 libraries worldwide, reported a 200% increase in e-book circulation in 2010 from 2009.

Though library officials see the value in providing e-books, many don't have the money to keep up.

"Libraries are facing huge budget cuts all across the country," says Audra Caplan, president of the Public Library Association.

In 2007, first lady Laura Bush recognized the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina as one of the USA's best. Now that library is closing four branches and laying off employees.

"We did see a huge uptick in new users and use of our e-books," said Linda Raymond, the library's materials management manager. "And no, we don't have a way to address it because of our budget."

To lend out titles, libraries buy e-book licenses from publishers. A single-copy license lets a library lend an e-book to a user for a set time, says David Burleigh, OverDrive's director of marketing. Once returned, it's available to another patron.

Licenses vary widely in price, depending on the title, says Jodi Fick of Siouxland Libraries in Sioux Falls, S.D. A license for John Grisham's The Confession costs Siouxland $28.95. For a printed book, the library would have gotten a 40% discount, said Kim Koblank, who oversees buying for Siouxland.

LIBRARY APPS: Technology syncs libraries, iPod generation
'COMMUNITY LIVING ROOMS': Libraries welcome homeless
AUTHORS' PICKS: Cornerstones of their libraries
Maryland's Montgomery County Public Libraries have had the budget for new materials slashed from $6.4 million two years ago to $3 million, said Barbara Webb, chief of collection and technology management. That doesn't leave enough money for traditional materials, much less e-books, she said, adding that the system is trying to redirect money toward e-books.

Library officials also are concerned about the different formats among e-readers, said Denise Davis, deputy director of the Sacramento Public Library Authority. "If you chose the wrong path, you've made an enormous investment in a technology that was very short-lived," she said.

This spring, the Sacramento library will test a program to lend out 100 Barnes & Noble Nook e-readers. The Nooks will be preloaded and patrons can return them at any of 28 branches, Davis said.

The Hennepin County Library in Minneapolis is increasing its e-book capacity. Last year, the system spent $35,000 on e-books. This year, it's spending $350,000, despite budget cuts, said Gail Mueller Schultz, head of collection management.

Library patron Beth Hindbjorgen of Sioux Falls, S.D. welcomes the investment. "I think it's the way we're heading for a lot of readers."