I used to have long waits for print copies at my public library so I started reading more ebooks. But in the past year or so, I’ve noticed my wait times for ebook holds are extremely long, even for less well-known or backlist titles since I don’t read bestsellers or the most popular authors. The other day I visited the library and there were print copies on the shelves of books I’ve had on hold in Libby for months, and high never used to happen.
I’m wondering about possible reasons for this – cuts to library funding, or the limits on ebook checkouts by publishing companies? Also, maybe my public library is shifting funds from ebooks to audiobooks as I see a ton more audiobooks on Libby now. Any insights?
by InevitableKiwi1254
5 Comments
From similar experience, my guess is that the convenience of Libby causes a lot of titles to get checked out when the reader has little intention of following through. Going into a library to grab a physical copy takes an effort.
There was an article I read not too long ago about e-books. The waitlists are prohibitively long and the cost of obtaining a license for titles is apparently really expensive considering a license only allows something like 25 rentals before you need to renew. Libraries are having trouble meeting demand as a result.
It’s more convenient to use libby so there will usually be more digital holds than holds on a physical book.
Libraries have to pay for individual licenses for each copy of an ebook. This is why the number of copies decreases after the release rush – they decrease the number of licenses they keep paying for.
I’m on the board for my local library.
There might be some budgetary constraints at your library but there may be another reason.
We saw a huge uptick in ebook checkouts during the height of the pandemic and its actually continued to increase.
It seems like a lot of people really enjoyed checking out rhat way and have stuck with it.
My library has seen a rapid increase in the usage of digital resources, year over year.