Libraries Tackle Ebook Pricing, and More Updates

Welcome back, library friends. We’ve got some hot topics to explore today, including ebook pricing, social reading, and some very misguided conclusions from a recent Authors Guild study. Let’s dive in.

Ebook Pricing Hot Topic For Libraries

Library organizations are taking up the mantle of ebook pricing again. The Public Library Association and four other organizations have signed on to a joint statement urging publishers to work with libraries to create more sustainable ebook lending models, and more states are taking up legislation to address the problem. Rhode Island just passed a law against predatory pricing models for ebooks and digital audiobooks, Illinois has a similar law moving through committee, and the Connecticut Library Consortium is calling on more states to do the same. Prepare to read more about this in the coming months.

Authors Guild Says Libraries Partly Why Authors Aren’t Making More Money

Ah! But the plot thickens! The Authors Guild released a new study examining why authors aren’t making as much money as they used to, and a major part of the study focused on library usage and how more readers are borrowing, rather than buying, new books. All right, Authors Guild: we’re not arguing that authors are earning less than they used to, but this isn’t a good look. Not only are libraries one of the best ways for readers to discover authors and backlist titles, but we’re also not a profession you want to pick a fight with. Also, do you really think readers are going to buy more books in the 2026 economy? There’s definitely a problem here, but libraries are not the enemy. (Related: this USA Today article that looks at how the publishing industry needs to balance profitability with discoverability and accessibility. You know what helps boost discoverability and accessibility? Libraries.)

Reading Is More Social

Settling in with a book is no longer the solitary activity it used to be. Around the world, reading is becoming more and more social, and people are taking notice. Reese Witherspoon’s book club, for example, is hosting its first in-person fan fest in New York City, and we’re seeing more book-themed tourism and group travel pop up on social media. Or as this headline says, “I traveled to three countries with 30 strangers who all love the same books. You should, too.” Okay, maybe your library won’t host any international trips, but some popular author- or series-themed meetups might be of interest.

Did you know that our All Access program now offers group memberships? Check it out!