đź“š NJ libraries say e-books cost 3 to 5 times more than print
💸 Officials warn millions in taxpayer dollars are spent with no power to negotiate ⚖️ New Jersey bill aims to curb high e-book costs
HOBOKEN — It seems that more and more people are reading digital books these days.
NJ libraries face soaring e-book costs and restrictive licensing rules
Unfortunately, libraries are paying more than double the print cost of e-books, and what’s worse is that every digital license libraries pay for expires after two years or after a set number of check-outs, forcing them to repurchase the same popular titles again and again, says Jennie Pu, director of the Hoboken Public Library.
Libraries are spending more every year and going back to zero every two years.
“Libraries have no ability to negotiate the price or the terms. A handful of publishers set all that, and libraries either accept it or we can’t offer that book,” Pu said…