Random House, the country's largest trade
publisher, has informed libraries that wholesale charges for e-books would rise
by more than 20 percent for new adult releases and more than double for new
children's books. Random House noted that e-books can be "repeatedly circulated
without limitation," unlike paper books, which eventually become worn or
damaged. It also asked that libraries provide more information about patrons'
"borrowing patterns."
"Currently absent such information in
quantity, it is important to reiterate that our guiding principles in setting
these new e-prices are the unrestricted and perpetual availability of our
complete frontlist and backlist of Random House, Inc. titles under a model of
one-copy, one user," according to a statement issued Friday by Random House.
"We believe that pricing to libraries must
account for the higher value of this institutional model, which permits e-books
to be repeatedly circulated without limitation. The library e-book and the
lending privileges it allows enables many more readers to enjoy that copy than a
typical consumer copy. Therefore, Random House believes it has greater value,
and should be priced accordingly."
The library association issued a statement
later Friday saying that libraries were enduring "extreme financial restraint,"
which a major price hike would worsen.
"While I appreciate Random House's
engagement with libraries and its commitment to perpetual access," ALA president
Molly Raphael said in the statement, "I am deeply disappointed in the severe
escalation in e-book pricing reported today. Calling on our history together and
our hope to satisfy mutual goals moving forward, the American Library
Association strongly urges Random House to reconsider its decision. In a time of
extreme financial constraint, a major price increase effectively curtails access
for many libraries, and especially our communities that are hardest hit
economically."
Random House, where authors include Stieg
Larsson, John Grisham and Toni Morrison, is one of the few major publishers to
offer its entire e-book catalog to libraries. Competitors such as Penguin Group
(USA) and Simon & Schuster have either limited e-books for libraries or made
them entirely unavailable. Publishers are concerned that free downloads could
cost them sales.
Read more: Libraries protest Random House price hike - The Denver Post
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