Library Orgs Urge Big Five to Address Digital Pricing - Publishers Daily

Publishers are in it for the money.

Today, Panzer's first stop in the Catosphere was at the Publishers Daily site. There with just a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about library organizations and the big five publishers.

 

Nathalie op de Beeck's post quotes extensively from the representatives of library groups in the U.S. and Canada about the high costs of licensing digital products. The library organizations would like to meet with publishing representatives to discus the pricing at sustainable levels for libraries.

 

Panzer says, "It's important to have ebooks and audiobooks available in libraries for patrons to read and listen to."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for a snack.

 

To read the post tootle over to Digital Pricing 

New Report Weighs Pros and Cons of AI - Publishers Daily

Interesting.

Panzer's last stop today was at the Publishers Daily. With a little digging he found a post about a survey conducted in the U.S. and Canada..

  

The survey addressed the pros and cons of AI use in the publishing industry and libraries and the individuals involved in both. The post includes a link to the survey report.

 

Panzer says, "There's still a lot of unknowns in AI."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea, a brownie, and two chocolate chip cookies to snack on. If you follow the link to read the report, you'll need to decide what to take with you to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Pros and Cons of AI 

Ingram Library in Deal with Bound to Stay Bound Books - Publishers Daily

Let's see what else is out there.

Panzer found a news release about Ingram Library on the Publishers Daily site.

 

According to the news release, Ingram Library will have Bound to Stay Bound Books available on their direct to libraries sales platform.

 

 Note: This is a short news release. You won't need to bring anything to snack on.

 

To read the full news post tootle over to Ingram 

B&T Makes Surprise Chapter 11 Filing - Publishers Daily

Libraries? 

Today with a little digging in the posts at the Publishers Daily site Panzer found a post about Baker and Taylor's bankruptcy filing.

 

Jim Milliot's post has information about Baker and Taylor's creditors and how much some of them are owed. Included in the post are links to other information about Baker and Taylor's closing.

 

Panzer says,"They even owe money to libraries."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's snack. 

 

To read the post tootle over to Baker and Taylor

 

Hoopla Digital Shares 2025 Trends, Growth Categories - Publishers Weekly

Information about indies in libraries too,

Today's trip in the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all, our intrepid traveling kitty found a post about library reader trends.

 

Nathalie op de Beeck's post covers the report Hoopla Digital put together for 2025 about the trends and growth 0f ebooks and audio books in the libraries it serves. The post also includes links to other information about the report.

 

Panzer says, "There's that romantasy category again."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a large muffin.

 

To read the post tootle over to Hoopla 

Follett Content, Mackin Enter the Public Library Market - Publishers Weekly

Let's hope it goes better than the other one did.

Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site today. There he found a post about the public library market.

 

According to Jim Milliot's post, Follett Content and Mackin plan to move into Baker and Taylor's public library supply market. (Panzer told you when ReaderList was going to acquire Baker and Taylor, but then didn't.) Several links to other information are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Somebody has to take over getting books to libraries."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's snack.

 

To read the post tootle over to Follett-Content and Mackin 

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Baker and Taylor Shut Down 

Libraries Look to Fill the Gap Left by Baker & Taylor - Publishers Daily

Do they have a crystal ball to foretell the future?

As Panzer was headed home he decided to make a stop at the Publishers Daily site. There he found a post about the problems of libraries caused by the shutdown of wholesaler Baker and Taylor.

 

According to Jim Milliot and Nathalie op de Beeck's post, with the disappearance of Baker and Taylor libraries need to find new book wholesales to stock their shelves. The post includes links to other information about Baker and Taylor's closure and the libraries search efforts.

 

Panzer says, "Guess who already jumped into library book wholesaling back in June?"

 

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Libraries 

DPLA, IPG Team Up to Offer Libraries E-book Ownership Option - Publishers Weekly

They're buying the ebooks legally.

On today's trip into the Catosphere Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about library ownership of ebooks.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)  has reached an agreement with the Independent Publishers Group (IPG) to have the option to purchase ebooks.This would mean instead of renting ebooks for patrons to read the library would own the books with no continuing fees.

 

Panzer says, "This would save libraries a lot of money."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a glass of lemonade and a sugar cookie (biscuit) for reading today's selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Libraries E-book Ownership

Libraries struggle to afford the demand for e-books and seek new state laws in fight with publishers - AP

Publishers raise the prices every year.

Panzer's post today is going to be short. We lost electricity last night and didn't get it back until late today. Let's just say things are a mess right now. With said, here's today's news.

 

On a quick trip to the AP news site Panzer discovered libraries are experiencing problems with ebooks and audiobook publishers again.

 

According to a post by Susan Haigh, the costs of publishers' ebooks and audiobook are forcing libraries to cut into their budgets. Libraries are also cutting back on the number of ebooks and audiobooks they can get for patrons as well as how long they can afford to offer them.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if it's to publishers advantage to keep libraries from loaning the books to force patrons to buy the publishers' book to read it?"

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) to read today's selection.

To read the post tootle over to Libraries and Ebook Publishers

How Working with Libraries Can Help Sell Your Books - Catapult

While Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he found another post about libraries and selling your books. This post is at the Catapult site. It's written by author and librarian Kerri Sullivan.

 

My work is finished for the day.

Kerri Sullivan's post is about doing programs for the library. These programs are not author signings. The author should put together information on a topic related to their book that an audience would find interesting. The post has a section on putting your program together and another on approaching libraries about library presentation opportunities.

Panzer says, "This is a post from last year, but all the information is still useful. It takes a deep look into what libraries really want and need from an author."

 

Note: This is a very long post. Bring a cup of tea, an apple and brownie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to libraries

Library e-book app Overdrive to shut down on May 1, readers directed to Libby instead - TechCrunch*

The plumbers are here.**

Today Panzer has news from the TechCrunch site. The OverDrive app is being shut down. Although it has other uses, most of us are familiar with it through our local libraries.

Sarah Perez's post includes links to information about OverDrive's shut down and information about OverDrive's replacement Libby.

 

 Panzer says, "Our library made the announcement too." 

To read the post tootle over to OverDrive

 

 

 

 *A tip of the kitty fedora to Nate Hoffelder's Morning Coffee - 3 April 2023 for the original link to this news.

 

** Yay! They say the water pipe will be replaced by this afternoon.

Publishers, Internet Archive Trade Reply Briefs in Book Scanning Case - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our intrepid traveling kitty found one about the latest developments in publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Wiley, and Penguin Random House's  copyright infringement case against the Internet Archive (IA). IA has been scanning hardback copies of books and then "lending" the scanned copies to people (and libraries) without paying publishers or authors.

 

So, we wait until October.

According to Andrew Albanese's post, the publishers and IA have filed their reply briefs to the Summary Judgement requests both presented to the court earlier this year. (In a previous post Panzer explained about the publishers' and IA's Summary Judgement requests.) The publishers' attorneys presented a 41-page reply to IA's request for a Summary Judgement in IA's favor and IA's attorneys presented a 41-page reply to the publishers' request for a Summary Judgement in the publishers' favor. The post quotes extensively from both reply briefs. Basically, the publishers brief says IA is a piracy site, not a library and IA's brief says publishers are trying to keep libraries from lending scanned books. On October 7 the publishers and IA will have the opportunity to submit reply briefs to these reply briefs.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know Internet Archive was giving these scanned books out worldwide."

 

Note: This is a very, very, very long post. Bring a thermos of tea, a sandwich and a muffin for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Publishers vs. Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Summary Judgement 

The surprising economics of digital lending - NPR

Panzer found an interesting The Indicator episode online at the NPR site.

 

Now for a little nap.

The episode begins with information about libraries and the cost to them of digital lending. It then transitions to a discussion of the copyright infringement case against the Internet Archive (IA). Then it ends with a discussion of libraries' interest in the case.The free episode is nine minutes long.

To listen to the episode click the 9-Minute Listen banner at the top.

 

If you don't want to listen to the episode, there's a transcript included at the site.

 

To listen to the audio version or read the transcript tootle over to Libraries and IA

 

'Unaffordable, unsustainable and extremely unfair': Libraries battle publishers for equal access to ebooks - Irish Examiner

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was suddenly shaken by crying and the gnashing of teeth. Following all the ruckus, took our brave kitty boy to the Irish Examiner site. There he found a post about the financial problems of Irish libraries.

 

Big 5? Sounds like big bullies to me.

According to the post by Jess Casey, libraries in Ireland are facing funding issues due to the Big Five publishers ebook library policies. The Big Five publishers are Penguin/Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan. The publishers library policies for ebooks include charging libraries license fees, restrictions on the number of library patron loans an ebook can have before re-licensing, time limits before an ebook can become available in the library, and Hachette won't even license ebooks to libraries. The Library Association of Ireland wants legislation enacted so libraries have access to ebooks with reasonable terms and conditions and without embargo.

 ,

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks this is familiar to what's happening to libraries in the U.S."

 

Note: This is a very, very long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Irish libraries

The Publisher Perspective: October 2021 (Getting Your Book Into Libraries With OverDrive) - Writers and Publishers Network

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today, he discovered a site named Writers and Publishers Network (WPN). Digging in the posts, he found one about getting your ebooks into libraries.

 

According to the post by Jay Hartman, authors getting their ebooks into libraries is relatively easy. First, the library needs access to OverDrive. Second, the author needs online access to their local library. Third, the author needs to see if their book is already in the system and, if not, then request the library purchase it. The post includes instructions for the library request process.

 

I just need a few friends' help.

Panzer says, "Looks easy to this little kitty. Now, I just need to find all my brothers and sisters and cousins and nephews and nieces and aunts and uncles to get them to request my books Cats and Crime and Cat Wisdom for humans. Then, I'll be in every library in the world!" 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of hot cocoa and a scone for today's learning experience.

 

To read the post for the steps to follow tootle over to Libraries

OverDrive Education Acquires TeachingBooks.net - Publishers Weekly

 Today Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about OverDrive Education.

 

According to the post, TeachingBooks.net has merged with OverDrive Education. Currently, 55,000 schools and libraries worldwide have access to 265,000 "curated materials" through TeachingBooks.net. The post quotes OverDrive officials who call it an acquisition, but the TeachingBooks.net founder calls it a merger. Included in the post is a link to OverDrive's home page, one to TeachingBooks.net's home page and one to OverDrive's Sora reading app home page.

Merger? Acquisition? Which is it?

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know there was an OverDrive Education platform."

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading news. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring a thermos of tea, four muffins and brownie.

 

To read the post tootle over to OverDrive Education

Knight Foundation Invests $5 Million in 'Library-Centered' Digital Platform - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There our illustrious kitty found a post about the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). Panzer told you about the DPLA earlier in June when they signed an agreement to license Amazon Publishing books to libraries.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the Palace Platform Project received a $5 Million investment from the Knight Foundation. The Palace Platform Project is made up of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Lyrasis. It was formed in June 2021. Plans are to have it fully functional by fall 2021. At that time libraries will be able to license ebooks and audio books from the Palace Platform Project.

I thought libraries used OverDrive.

 

Panzer says, "The DPLA is not the Internet Archive Open Library."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a glass of iced tea and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to library centered digital platform

To read Panzer's previous post about the DPLA tootle over to Amazon Publishing 

 

 

 

Amazon Publishing, DPLA Ink Deal to Lend E-books in Libraries - Publishers Weekly

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With a lot of digging in the posts, our intrepid eternally curious kitty found a post about Amazon and libraries.

I will check it out.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, as stated in a May 18 press release Amazon Publishing and the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) platform have finally reached an agreement. Per the agreement, DPLA participating libraries will be allowed to lend 10,000 of Amazon Publishing's ebooks and audio books to their patrons. Patrons (and libraries) will need to use the SimplyE app to download the ebooks and audio books and read/listen to them.  Amazon Publishing is a separate entity from the Amazon platform indie authors  use to publish their books. The post includes numerous links to other information about Amazon and DPLA.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty never heard of SimplyE. Guess we'll need to do some research so we can read Amazon Publishing books from the library."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links included in the post, bring a thermos of tea, five muffins and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits).

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Publishing and libraries

BiblioBoard, PW's BookLife Launch New Library E-book Program for Self-Published Authors - Publishers Weekly

 Yesterday, Panzer told you about Publishers Weekly's plan's for the US Book Show in May. Today, our busy news-gatherer kitty found an announcement at Publishers Weekly about the company's entrance into the ebooks for libraries market.

 

How much is the fee?

According to a post at the site by the staff, Publishers Weekly's BookLife has formed a partnership with BiblioBoard to start a new program called BookLife Elite. Libraries will pay a subscription fee to get access to BookLife Elite's curated self-published ebooks. BookLife Elite is already available on OverDrive. The post includes several links to information about BookLife, BiblioBoard, authors' books in the program,  and contact persons.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if, maybe, they're growing too fast in too many different directions at once."

 

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring three thermoses of tea, thirty-six muffins, twenty five cookies (biscuits), and fifteen brownies. Oh, and you'll need your sleeping bag for a nap in the middle.

 

To read the post tootle over to BiblioBoard and BookLife

Amazon Publishing in Talks to Offer E-books to Public Libraries - Publishers Weekly

14 days

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard cautious clapping outside the Panzermobile. Following the noise took him to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about Amazon Publishing.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Amazon Publishing is in talks with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) to start offering ebooks to public libraries. Apparently, the talks have been in the process between the two for several months. Discussions are around the library lending procedures. Included in the post are links to other posts about Amazon library ebook policies and about the Digital Public Library of America.

 

Panzer says, "Interesting. This little kitty had never heard about the Digital Public Library of America."

 

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of cocoa and four muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links, bring two more thermoses of cocoa, twenty-four muffins, six chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and your dinner.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon ebooks