Why Does the Library Pay So Much for eBooks?

Checking out an eBook may feel much like borrowing a print book, but when we purchase digital materials, it is very different and far more expensive than patrons may realize.

Consider the popular title Theo of Golden by Allen Levi:

eBook
Consumer price: $12.99
Library price: $59.99
Library license: Expires after two years

eAudiobook
Consumer price: $16.99
Library price: $89.99
Library license: Expires after two years

To help meet the community demand from Schaumburg Library patrons, we purchased 10 licenses of each format. That means we've spent nearly $1,500 to provide digital access to this one title alone—and those licenses will eventually expire.

This is one example of a much larger challenge facing libraries.

Unlike a physical book that the Library purchases and owns, eBooks and eAudiobooks are typically licensed under publisher-established terms. Depending on the title, licenses may expire after a set period or a set number of checkouts. Popular titles may also require us to purchase multiple licenses to reduce wait times.

These costs affect how far our collection budget stretches and how many digital titles we can make available to our community.

Illinois is considering legislation addressing digital library licensing.

House Bill 5236, the Digital Library Protection Act, addresses licensing agreements and restrictions for library eBooks and digital audiobooks. The bill passed the Illinois House 99–0 in April and is currently awaiting committee assignment in the Illinois Senate.

Learn more about HB 5236 and find information about contacting elected officials through the Illinois Library Association at ila.org/advocacy/ready-set-advocate-ebook-legislation. ILA is encouraging Illinois residents to contact their elected officials about the legislation.