Panel Session: eBooks-the end of library cooperation? Perspective 3: purchasing consortia. Evelyn Woodberry

eBooks as disruptive technology “Many of these issues appear to be driven by the fragmented nature of publishing and aggregator markets along with the disruption that the introduction of ebooks has brought to publishers’ business models and resulting impacts.” ( KPMG report for the National library of NZ 2014)

“... issues for library access to trade eBooks differ fundamentally from databases that assume a willing information provider and where the focus is usually on negotiated access. Trade eBook publishing, which is evolving rapidly, presents libraries with different technical, legal and strategic challenges which have led in some cases to confusion and frustration for libraries and their users, as well as publishers and authors.” (IFLA Principles for Library eLending.)

Issues  Use of contracts/licences Specify conditions of purchase Dictate lending terms  Commercial in confidence Best deal?  Lack of Australian content  Reluctance to enter into consortium deals.

Some statistics  Yarra Plenty Regional Library 2013/14 3,456,836 loans of which 88,400 ebooks = 2.5% Trend 48% increase over 2012/13  NZ report 2012/13.4% of acquisitions budget on ebooks

Contrast  UK Publishers Association 2013 “a third of the sector’s revenues are derived from direct sales and licensing of digital products and services.”

Summary  eBook business models continue to evolve.  Ebooks as a % of collections and loans is small though growing rapidly.  Collaborative purchasing is possible, obstacles and issues to resolve.

“There is a huge potential demand for e-books. Driven by the exponential growth in tablets, smartphones and reading devices. In order for e-lending to be sustainable, however, business models will have to reconcile publishers' and librarians' interests.”