Submitted by gold on
Both Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster have announced new pricing models in the past month that are welcome news for public libraries.
Penguin Random House announced last week that it will implement perpetual access for all of its ebook titles and cap prices per title at $65 for ebooks. ALA welcomes improvement in long-term access and pricing, but the new cap of $65 continues a significant premium over consumer ebook and library print titles. For more information on the announcement and ALA's response please see: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/e-content/ala-responds-penguin-random-house-ebook-licensing-announcement/
Simon & Schuster announced last month they are starting a pilot project where they will allow libraries to buy e-books at a two year term at 50% off. They have selected over 550 bestselling titles to participate in this program and want to gauge if libraries are willing to buy e-books and keep them longer, instead of having them expire after one year. For additional information please see: http://goodereader.com/blog/digital-library-news/simon-schuster-e-books-now-have-an-optional-2-year-term-at-50-off-for-libraries
The WPLC Selection Committee has already placed several orders for new and additional copies of many Simon & Schuster titles. Please contact Sara Gold at sgold@wils.org with any questions.