[Libs-Or] Take action against greedy publishers! -- Publishercontact info.

[Shannon Van Kirk]

I wrote a polite note to Mr Marwell asking about this policy.  No threat
was stated or implied.

He did not reply.  

 

Shannon Van Kirk, Director

Blue Mountain Community College Library

Pendleton, OR 97801

Voice: (541) 278-5916

FAX: (541) 276-6119

<shannon.vankirk at bluecc.edu>

 

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From: libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
[mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Bob
Jones
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 12:11 PM
To: Bob Jones; 'Diedre Conkling'; libs-or at listsmart.osl; PUBLIB
Subject: [Libs-Or] Take action against greedy publishers! --
Publishercontact info.

 

Josh.marwell at harpercollins.com

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Jones 
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 12:08 PM
To: Bob Jones; 'Diedre Conkling'; libs-or at listsmart.osl; PUBLIB
Subject: RE: Take action against greedy publishers!

 

Oops!  The guy's name is Marwell, not Maxwell.

 

I'm looking for his e-mail address...

 

-----Original Message-----
From: libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
[mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Bob
Jones
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 12:00 PM
To: 'Diedre Conkling'; libs-or at listsmart.osl; PUBLIB
Subject: [Libs-Or] Take action against greedy publishers!

 

	Attention Oregon Libraries:

	 

	One major publisher, looking for more profits, has decided
eBooks licensed to libraries will only be valid for 26 circulations.
After that you will have to buy it all over again!

	 

	This is a very disconcerting development on the part of a greedy
publisher.    Libraries must unite in opposition to this "checkout
limit" concept, even if it means boycotting publishers who institute it.
It's the thin edge of the wedge.  

	 

	More than a hundred years ago publishers had similar
profit-driven concerns about the availability of books for free at
libraries cutting into retail sales.  We need to go back and rediscover
how libraries overcame that issue.

	 

	According to Library Journal:

	 

	"Josh Marwell, President, Sales for HarperCollins, told LJ that
the 26 circulation limit was arrived at after considering a number of
factors, including the average lifespan of a print book, and wear and
tear on circulating copies.

	 

	As noted in the letter, the terms will not be specific to
OverDrive, and will likewise apply to "all eBook vendors or distributors
offering this publisher's titles for library lending." The new terms
will not be retroactive, and will apply only to new titles. More details
on the new terms are set to be announced next week.

	 

	If a lending period is two weeks, the 26 circulation limit is
likely to equal roughly one year of use for a popular title. For a
three-week lending period, that stretches to a year and a half."

	 

	I think I may write to Mr. Maxwell and inform him that,
effective immediately, our library will not buy any title from any
HarperCollins imprint in any format (print, audio recording, or
electronic) as long as his new policy remains in effect.  I will inform
patrons seeking HarperCollins titles of the reason we do not have them.
Because many lower-demand titles are profitable primarily through
library sales (poetry and reference books come to mind) this action, if
taken by a few thousand libraries, would certainly get Mr. Maxwell to
reconsider.  

	 

	Who's with me on this?

	 

	 

	Bob Jones, MA, MSLS, CAS

	Library Director

	Milton-Freewater Public Library

	 

	 

	 

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