AzLA supports ALA; asks Macmillan Publishers to reconsider ebook embargo

ALA has launched a national campaign against Macmillan's e-book embargo. An online petition has been created to engage members and the community in urging Macmillan Publishers to reverse the proposed embargo on e-books sold to libraries. Please participate in the petition and read our letter to Macmillan Publishers below.

ebooksforall.org

Letter to Macmillan Publishers CEO, John Sargent:

Dear Mr. Sargent,

On behalf of the more than 700 members of the Arizona Library Association (AzLA), we are writing to object to and ask Macmillan Publishers to reconsider its plan to embargo new eBook titles for U.S. public libraries staring November 1. Under this new model, we understand a public library may purchase only a single copy of each new title in eBook format upon release, after which Macmillan will impose an eight-week embargo on additional eBook sales of that title.

To public libraries and the millions of people who rely on them every day, Macmillan's new policy is patently unacceptable. The central mission of libraries is to ensure equitable access to information for all people, regardless of format. Macmillan's new eBook lending policy will limit access to new titles by the readers who depend most on libraries. Access to eBooks through public libraries should not be denied or delayed.

Alongside the Public Library Association (PLA) and its parent organization, the American Library Association (ALA), the Arizona Library Association will continue to explore all possible avenues to ensure that we do our jobs of providing access to information for all. We will also encourage our customers and community to become advocates and ask that they contact you and other publishers to express their concerns and displeasure.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter. We look forward to engaging in a dialogue with you.

Sincerely,
Michelle Simon
President, Arizona Library Association

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