Random House made news this week by announcing their new pricing on library eBooks. Bascially the cost of a Random House eBook is now 3x the price of the physical hard-cover. In other words, many bestsellers are now $60-$100 per title.\u00a0The ALA has requested Random House to re-consider.<\/p>\n
Other corporate publisher’s eBook library programs:<\/p>\n
For decades, publishers and libraries were very close. Publishers liked libraries for they would a)take a big % of genre hardcovers b)buy non-returnable c)help suggest and market titles d)were advocates for reading. But publishers never felt library books ate into the retail sales.<\/p>\n
But with eBooks, there is a major concern from publishers that getting eBooks at the library does cut into eBook sales.<\/p>\n
Libraries counter that they still help get the word out and that the service they provide more than helps with eBook sales.<\/p>\n
I can see both sides.<\/p>\n
I am sure there is a solution. I have seen a dozen different ones and each makes sense. But each solution creates a new issue.<\/p>\n
For the foreseeable future, we will continue to debate and build. But a policy is being developed. A solution will come.<\/p>\n
Many may think this is a problem. I don’t see that at all. It is a new issue, a new world and collectively we are working on an answer. Soon, there will be a policy and it will be standard. It will work for all. There will be winners and losers. But it will be, what it will be.<\/p>\n
It is a good time to be in publishing. Sure lots of changes and lots of new terms. But this is fun and there are opportunities for all.<\/p>\n
Love it!<\/p>\n
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