Authors For Libraries

When I talk with members of the public about library ebooks being unfairly priced, I’m often asked “Do any writers support libraries?” I usually answer that some do, but their publishers seem to tell them that libraries ebooks are bad for their income. They naturally believe it and so don’t speak out.

I’m delighted to be able to change my answer.

Fight for the Future has published an open letter signed by over 300 authors in support of libraries and defending them against attacks by the publishing industry and its lobbyi . . . um, trade associations.

Please read the letter in its entirety to see the links supporting its positions. Here are those positions:

Enshrine the right of libraries to permanently own and preserve books, and to purchase these permanent copies on reasonable terms, regardless of format.

End lawsuits aimed at intimidating libraries and diminishing their role in society.

End smear campaigns against librarians.

I say “Hear hear!” to all. As someone who has been called a dupe for “Big Tech” because of my work on Maryland’s ebook law, the third point strikes a personal note. Thank you, writers, for standing up for librarians. If I were a catspaw for “Big Tech,” likely our bill would have been so legally grounded as to be unassailable and certainly the money to appeal the judge’s (wrongful, in my view) ruling would somehow have appeared. Just in case I am a dupe and stooge and simply don’t know it, though, Hey Google, how about a donation for my library! :-)

Of course the trade associations are on the attack, as reported by Andrew Albanese, “ insisting they do support public libraries, and suggesting that the letter is an Internet Archive–backed PR campaign..” If you support public libraries so much, folks, why are the digital prices for libraries so outrageously inflated when compared to print? And the suggestion that this is somehow a nefarious plot by the Internet Archive is just another baseless smear. Big publishers, I challenge you to look at our Publisher Price Watch and tell me honestly that you support libraries. You whack us because unfair laws allow you to extort money from the public coffers, knowing we are under so much pressure to provide content at any price. For once, come for fair negotiations. You won’t lose money. If anything, we’ll increase our digital spending. For the good of readers and reading, DO support us, as partners in maintaining a literate and informed populace.