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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: October 4, 2019
A federal appeals court delivers a mixed decision on net neutrality; OCLC hosts its annual Library Futures Conference; and library supporters continue to hammer Macmillan over its e-book embargo.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: September 20, 2019
Among the week's headlines: As Banned Books Week kicks off, the DoJ sues Edward Snowden over his just-published memoir; NPR reports on how a Colorado library is seeking to help its local town's news operation; and rave reviews for a new Queens Public Library building, which opens next week.
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Publisher News
DOJ Files Suit to Seize Proceeds from Snowden Memoir
The U.S. Justice Department this week filed suit against former NSA contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden and his publisher, Macmillan, looking to seize Snowden's proceeds from his new memoir, arguing that the manuscript violates nondisclosure agreements Snowden signed.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: September 13, 2019
Among the week's headlines, ALA seeks to raise public awareness about e-books; a look at Temple University's new library; and how a New Jersey library will benefit from a hidden treasure that had been hanging in plain sight for 60 years.
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Libraries
'What Should I Read Next?'
How publishers’ increasingly restrictive e-book policies could undermine a key public library reference service.
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Libraries
Librarians Launch National Campaign to Oppose Macmillan’s Library E-book Embargo
“ALA’s goal is to send a clear message to Macmillan CEO John Sargent,” said ALA executive director Mary Ghikas, announcing the launch of a national e-book advocacy campaign. "Libraries have millions of allies out there, and we’re inviting them to take action.”
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: September 6, 2019
Among the week's headlines, sticker shock over S&S's new library e-book prices; ALA organizes a national campaign against Macmillan's e-book embargo; and what's the the future of school librarians?
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Libraries
Bibliotheca Calls Out Amazon for Meddling in the Library E-book Market
In a message sent to library customers, Tom Mercer, senior v-p of digital products for Bibliotheca (formerly 3M), called out Amazon for its role in the increasingly contentious library e-book market.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: August 23, 2019
Among the week's headlines: why most authors are trying to get their e-books in libraries; the backlash continues over Macmillan's library e-book embargo; and publishers sue Audible over its Captions program.
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Publisher News
Senators Question Educational Publishers’ Data Collection Practices
An August 12 letter, signed by three U.S. senators, raised concerns that the data harvested by digital educational publishers “could pose a serious risk to students, parents, and educational institutions" if "stolen, collected, or sold without their permission.”
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: August 16, 2019
Among the week's headlines: a library receipt kicks off a debate about the value of libraries; more media coverage of the library e-book market; and the University of California holds firm in its negotiations with Elsevier.
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Libraries
Do Publishers Suddenly Hate Libraries?
Why the tension between libraries and publishers is ramping up in the e-book market—and why we must tamp it down.
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Publisher News
Cengage Faces New Class Action Suit From Authors
A group of textbook authors has filed a class action suit against Cengage, alleging that the company’s recent digital pivot violates their author agreements.
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Libraries
After Tor Experiment, Macmillan Expands Embargo on Library E-books
In a memo to authors and agents, Macmillan CEO John Sargent asserted that 45% of Macmillan’s U.S. “e-book reads” were now 'being borrowed for free' from libraries," and said the publisher's new terms are "designed to protect the value of your books during their first format publication."
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: July 19, 2019
Ahead of Robert Mueller's testimony next week, the DPLA issues an upgraded free e-book edition of the Mueller Report; for a seventh straight year, digital audio sales show robust sales growth; and, the Little Free Library project hires a new executive director.
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Libraries
Panorama Project Pivots, Taps New Leader
As library e-book issues gain urgency, the OverDrive funded effort to measure the impact of libraries on authors and publishers taps industry vet Guy LeCharles Gonzalez to take the project to the next level.
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Libraries
Citing Embargo, Libraries Plan Boycott of Blackstone Digital Audio
A coalition of some 44 public libraries across Washington state is organizing a six-month boycott of Blackstone Publishing's digital audiobooks after the publisher announced last month that it would withhold new release audio titles from libraries for 90 days.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: July 12, 2019
The digital content market for libraries is about to get even more unsettled; Elsevier cuts off researchers at the University of California; and librarians gear up for the 2020 census.
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Libraries
Libraries Must Draw the Line on E-books
Recent developments suggest a grim future for digital content in libraries, writes Sari Feldman, unless library supporters find a way to respond.
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Libraries
S&S Changes Library E-book, Digital Audio Terms
S&S officials confirmed that as of August 1, public libraries will be able to license S&S e-books for two-year terms, on a one copy/one user model, with most "new release" e-books priced between $38.99 and $52.99. Previously, S&S e-books were sold on one-year licenses, though at a lower price point. S&S will also offer "per-checkout licenses" on select e-book titles.