The Library is excited to offer a collection of over 125,000 electronic books, audiobooks, music, and videos through the library’s catalog. We share some titles with other libraries, and purchase additional titles just for Bud Werner Library card holders. We also offer digital magazines through Zinio.
View our Online Collection
..... A Tale of Digital Books, Libraries and Book Publishers
We love digital books, and we know our patrons do too. In fact, the Bud Werner Memorial Library has increased our eBook and audiobook collection by more than 200 percent during the last few years, and, at the request of our patrons, we are dedicating more and more resources toward this growing collection.
Why Don't You Have the eBook I'm Looking For?
At the same time, we cannot ignore the facts. You may have noticed that our digital collection is more limited in variety than our book selection.
Why is that?
Only four of the largest publishers - Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, and Random House will sell rights to libraries to lend digital books. That means that some of the most popular books and authors are unavailable for us to purchase and lend to you.
Publishers Restrict eBooks
Two publishers - The Penguin Group, and Simon & Schuster are undergoing experimental projects to decide if and how to sell eBook rights to libraries.
But, Why?
Publishers are afraid of losing sales. One theory is that publishers assume that library patrons don't buy books. But, we know better! Library patrons love books. Love to borrow them, buy them, give them and re-read favorites over and over again. As digital books become more popular, this simple fact won't change.
That's why you will notice the new Buy it Now function in our catalog, where, if an item is not immediately available, you can opt to purchase it. When you purchase any item using the Buy it Now button, you will help us show publishers that library patrons buy books. Also, as an affiliate library, we receive a percentage of each sale made through the library's catalog which goes toward purchases of more digital books for your library's collection..
What else can I do?
If you would like to contact the publishers mentioned above about their eBook licensing policies, please find their contact information below:
Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 366-2000
Email: ecommerce@us.penguingroup.com
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 698-7000
Online form: http://simonandschuster.com/about/contact_us
Sample Letter
Dear Publisher,
As a library patron and frequent book purchaser, I am disappointed by your decision not to sell eBooks and audiobooks to libraries. Please reconsider.
Thank you.