US e-book lending boom pits publishers against libraries | Context

the decision to lend out e-books must have been contentious as this outcome was likely on someone's radar (given the outcomes we have seen with DVDs and even antennae broadcast)

nonetheless, the punishment being sought by those in power far outweighs the act itself (and during the pandemic!)

the internet archive is a treasure. as american society watches large swaths of public data go dark, we are seeing in real time why it is a treasure and what they can do.

there is some fear mongering in this report and i can only hope that it isn't true and the path to survival exists and is strong.

The increasing popularity of e-book lending in U.S. libraries is creating significant conflict with publishers, who are shifting from selling copies to restrictive and costly licensing models. This shift raises concerns among librarians about reduced access, potential reader tracking, censorship, and the erosion of library ownership essential for preservation. The tension has led to legal battles, notably publishers suing the Internet Archive over controlled digital lending and challenges to state laws attempting to ensure reasonable e-book terms for libraries. Simultaneously, new technologies like AI are being controversially used by some school districts to enforce book bans, adding another layer to the complex issues surrounding digital content access and control.