Rhode Island Librarians Call Big Publishing’s E-Book Policy “Unfair, Unconstitutional”

Rhode Island Librarians Call Big Publishing’s E-Book Policy “Unfair, Unconstitutional”

Librarians are speaking out against what they say is "big publishing’s unfair, unconstitutional, and anti-competitive practices” regarding e-books that limit the ability of libraries to provide residents with full access to new publications.

The Rhode Island Library Association (RILA), the American Library Association (ALA), local neighborhood librarians and library patrons gathered on Tuesday at Cranston Central Library to address the matter.

“Library support in our state is high, and our patrons know the intrinsic value of being able to freely access books, movies, music, high-speed internet, educational classes, cultural programs, and more. Rhode Islanders particularly value our access to e-books. When Big Publishing blocks libraries from buying e-books, they’re obstructing Rhode Islanders’ constitutional right to public libraries,” said RILA President and Cranston Assistant Library Director Julie Holden.

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State Senator Mark McKenney (District 30 – Warwick) filed legislation that would prohibit publishers from setting limits on the number of e-book and audiobook licenses a library can purchase.

E-Book Policy

According to RILA, in November of 2019, Macmillan Publishers put in place a new policy limiting libraries’ ability to purchase new e-books.

Macmillan now sells only one copy of a newly released e-book title per library system.

After eight weeks, libraries may purchase unlimited copies of the e-book for a two-year license.

RILA adds that because Rhode Island provides e-books to libraries through the Ocean State Library consortium, that means Macmillan limits one copy of a new e-book for the first eight weeks after publication for the entire state.

“Rhode Island is a unique state with a single library system, a structure that provides library users with many benefits. But Rhode Island library users are disproportionately hurt by Big Publishing’s unfair and potentially unconstitutional e-book practices. ALA sees Rhode Island as a model for the rest of the nation on how to stand up against Big Publishing and work toward restoring library users’ equitable access to e-books,” said ALA Senior Director of Public Policy Alan Inouye.

RILA Taking Action

The Rhode Island Library Association signed on to the American Library Association’s #eBooksForAll campaign last year.

In the coming weeks, RILA will continue to speak out and inform library users about Macmillan’s and Big Publishing’s unfair and unconstitutional practice.

In February, RILA held a roundtable meeting with U.S. Representative David Cicilline (District 1) to discuss steps Congress can take to ensure that publishers cannot discriminate against libraries and library users.

Following that meeting, Congressman Cicilline said he “look[s] forward to continuing our work together as the investigation wraps up and legislative fixes are introduced later this year.”

In addition to meeting with Congressman Cicilline, RILA board members will meet with the Office of the Attorney General in the weeks ahead to discuss Macmillan’s potential violations of Rhode Islander’s constitutional rights and individual RILA members will request meetings with mayors and town managers to encourage local leaders to sign on with #eBooksForAll.

 

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