Macmillan's new restrictions on library ebook sales went into effect on Friday, and OverDrive was ready.
Library patrons who reserve an ebook through the OverDrive Libby app are now being told that the Macmillan title they want to borrow is unavailable due to restrictions imposed by the publisher.
Interesting. Same thing happened with me just now with THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE (St. Martin’s; released Oct 8). So they have three copies, but they must’ve purchased those before the restriction. pic.twitter.com/jimaBa8acp
— aarya (@Aarya_Marsden) November 2, 2019
Not romance but I have a Macmillan book on hold and saw this message today pic.twitter.com/8Ho1bkKtzB
— Just susan???? (@smreid09) November 2, 2019
I got this message on a hold: pic.twitter.com/sZeNXchrOv
— Melinda (@MelindaEdits) November 2, 2019
Macmillan's new rules allow for libraries to only buy a single copy of a Macmillan title during the first 8 weeks after it is published. (The reason the libraries mentioned above have several copies but can't buy more is that the 8-week window has also been imposed on books published in the past couple months.) That single copy costs a ridiculous $30, and not the punitive $60 that Macmillan usually charges for library ebooks.
You just finished reading Libraries Aren’t Pulling Any Punches When Explaining Publisher-Imposed Delays to Patrons which was published on The Digital Reader.