“Why is the wait time so long for the book I want to read?”
“Why are books #1-5 in this series available but #6-10 are missing?”
“Why can’t the library just buy ebooks from Amazon like I can?”
These are some of the most common questions heard from library patrons regarding Wisconsin’s Digital Library. Although the collection contains over 350,000 items, the current average waiting period for items is over 80 days. It is important to understand the many factors are at play that affect the prices and availability of digital books for libraries. In this post, we provide an overview for readers. Ebooks and Digital Audiobooks cost more for libraries than for individual consumers because of how licensing models work in the publishing industry. Below is a breakdown of why this happens.
Key Reasons Ebooks and Audiobooks Cost More for Libraries
1. Libraries Don’t “Buy” Ebooks and Audiobooks — They License Them
When a consumer buys an ebook or audiobook, they get a personal license for their own use, usually indefinitely.
Libraries, however, must purchase special licenses that allow them to lend the ebook to multiple users (one at a time). These licenses are more expensive and often come with usage restrictions.
2. Publisher Licensing Models Are More Restrictive
Most publishers offer libraries one of the following models:
- One Copy/One User: Only one person can borrow the ebook at a time. Prices are often 3–5x the consumer price.
- Metered Access: The license expires after a set number of checkouts (e.g. 26 borrows) or after a certain time (e.g. 2 years).
- Simultaneous Use: Allows multiple checkouts at once, but the price is often considerably more expensive than other models
These models are meant to mimic the limitations of physical books, where wear and tear or availability would limit access.
3. Revenue Concerns from Publishers
Publishers worry that:
- Library lending might cannibalize sales (e.g., people borrowing instead of buying).
- Digital books don’t degrade like physical books, so they could be circulated an unlimited amount of times without needing replacement
To compensate, publishers charge much higher prices to libraries to make up for perceived lost revenue.
4. Control Over Access and Data
With digital books, publishers can:
- Control lending terms.
- Track usage data.
- Adjust pricing and terms over time.
This level of control allows them to charge libraries more dynamically — something they can’t do as easily with physical books.
Amazon owns Audible, the subscription audiobook service for consumers, and has negotiated exclusive rights to many titles from popular authors. What does this mean for libraries? We are unable to acquire these titles at all as digital audiobooks.
Example
| Title | Consumer Price | Library Price | Notes |
| Popular Novel (Ebook) | $14.99 | $60 (2-year license) | One copy, one user, expires in 24 months |
| Audiobook (Digital) | $25 | $95 (26 checkouts) | License expires after 26 borrows |
Why It Matters & What You Can Do
Access Inequality: Libraries struggle to afford digital collections, especially smaller ones.
Budget Strain: Libraries can’t stretch their budgets as far with high ebook prices.
Public Good vs. Private Profit: Raises ethical questions about equitable access to information.
Follow Groups that Advocate and Educate
- Readers First: ReadersFirst is an organization of nearly 300 libraries representing 200 million readers dedicated to ensuring access to free and easy-to-use eBook content.
- The Cost of Ebooks & Audiobooks & Why It Matters: Livebrary in Suffolk County, NY compiles resources on the cost of ebooks and audiobooks
- eBook Study Group: In response to the lack of equitable terms and fair pricing for library ebooks, a new emerging coalition of state legislators, librarians, and library stakeholders in numerous states are recommending the adoption of state law based on consumer protection, contract law, and contract preemption to regulate library ebook contracts with publishers.