The Digital Shelf: What Are "Reasonable" Library Costs?
Description
Library conversations about what ebook costs should be have gone on since HarperCollins introduced a metered access model in 2011. The conversations gained momentum in 2018, when the rest of the Big 5 publishers moved away from perpetual access to metered models. Recently, with many libraries saying that Big 5 terms are simply unsustainable and state laws (passed or proposed) calling for "commercially reasonable" terms, a discussion of exactly what that might mean is necessary. Libraries of different sizes and collection budgets may have different responses, but agreement on some points may be possible. Should we begin with some comparison to consumer costs--terms which we often already get from Indie publishers? To some equivalent with our print costs? Some model that factors many variables? Join a panel of library selectors and others who have studied this issue in-depth for a lively discussion of the vexing question, "What is Reasonable?"
Learning Outcomes
- Understand current library digital content license terms.
- Understand why some libraries (and legislators) are advocating for related laws.
- Understand some different models for assessing digital collection costs.
- Have knowledge of some tools that will help assess a library's digital collection costs.
Intended Audience
Librarians, library selectors, library administrators, library trustees, library digital content vendors, publishers of all sizes.
Partners
Michael Blackwell, ReadersFirst
Michael Blackwell is the Director of the St. Mary's County Library and leads ReadersFirst. As a prominent national advocate for e-resources, he is instrumental in coordinating efforts across nearly 300 libraries to campaign for fair pricing, sustainable licensing, and an easier patron experience for library e-book content.
Jeremy Johannesen, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)
Jeremy Johannesen is the Executive Director of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), an organization dedicated to supporting state library administrative agencies. He is a recognized advocate for nationwide library policy, leading COSLA's long-term efforts to influence publisher pricing and licensing models for e-books and digital content, ensuring equitable access and sustainable solutions for public libraries across the states.
Presenters
George Kerscher, DAISY Consortium
George Kerscher is the Chief Innovations Officer at the DAISY Consortium, an international organization dedicated to creating equal access to information for people with disabilities. A pioneer in digital accessible publishing, he spearheaded the development of the DAISY standard and played a foundational role in integrating universal accessibility specifications into global EPUB standards. Through decades of international leadership and technical advocacy, George works to advance open standards and "born accessible" content—ensuring readers of all abilities can engage with books seamlessly.
Amy Mikel, NY State Ebook Working Group
Amy Mikel is the Director of Customer Experience at Brooklyn Public Library and a key contributor to the NY State Ebook Working Group. She is instrumental in initiatives related to digital content accessibility and addressing censorship, particularly through her involvement with BPL's nationally recognized Books Unbanned project.
Carmi Parker, Librarian, Whatcom County Library System
Carmi Parker is a librarian with Whatcom County Library System and Executive Committee member for the Washington Digital Library Consortium, serving 860,000 residents of Washington State. She is a Readers First Working Group member and has been a guest faculty member with the University of Washington iSchool teaching Collection Development. She was named a 2021 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal.
Lisa Radha Vohra, Director, Collections & Membership Services, Toronto Public Library
Lyrasis Learning events are delivered using the Zoom videoconferencing platform and will have AI-generated captions available. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available upon request. If you need ASL or other accommodations to support your participation in the course, please contact us at es@lyrasis.org at least 2 weeks in advance of the event or as soon as possible.