I'm betting that it isn't technical issues that keep libraries from allowing more than one person to use an ebook at a time but contractual issues with publishers. That way large libraries will have to buy multiple copies of popular ebooks to satisfy their clients' demands. Ditto for them insisting the ebook is "worn out" after 25 borrowers take it out. That way they can make even more money than they do with print books.
I live in a small town and use the library all the time. Many of the books have been lent more than 25 times and are still in useable shape. So setting a book's lifetime at 25 lends is pure baloney. Other library books have been taken out only a few times. But they sure didn't pay less for them because they weren't particularly popular. You'd think the profit would even out for the publishers (who I am guessing hate the whole idea of public libraries and wish they would disappear.} Not surprisingly our library can't afford ebooks.
I am all for authors and publishers being paid. But I think they'd make a lot more money if ebook prices reflected their actual cost rather than mimicing print book prices. I know I'd buy more if they were less expensive. Increase in volume of sales would more than make up the ebook/print price difference. But I'm not holding my breath for it to happen.
Cathy
Sent from my iPad
> I'm not sure I understand. Only one person can check out an ebook at a time? Why is that? I would think ebooks, when downloaded, are copies of the book, not the original file. Therefore, more than one person could download the book at the same time.
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> Alice Saunders
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