E-books and libraries



[[Notes: This op-ed (stands for “opposite the editorial page”) template is intended to raise awareness that your library offers e-books, but also faces roadblocks to this service. If e-books are new or underutilized in your community, this may be a good choice for you.

We have included places to customize this text to your community, but feel free to change the draft headline or other text to meet your needs and local media guidelines for length.

Op-eds provide a place in papers, some magazines, and some television and radio commentaries, for readers, listeners and viewers to express their views. A good strategy is to be timely and present local evidence to make your point. A few other things to bear in mind:

• It is generally wise to call the editor of the op-ed or editorial page and explain your idea briefly, as well as your affiliation with the library.

• Op-eds are viewed as exclusives, so should not be sent to multiple media outlets at the same time. If one outlet turns you down, you can shop it elsewhere. Once printed, the same text should not be pitched to other publications.

• Op-ed lengths vary depending on the media outlet. Look online or contact the publication to ask about length, and follow their guidelines.

• When submitting your op-ed, include a proposed headline. Don’t be surprised if the headline changes or the editor makes minor edits to your piece.

• You can turn a print op-ed into a radio commentary by shortening it and then submitting it to a station that accepts them. Your local NPR or Marketplace might be perfect.]]

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Today’s Libraries Connect (E-)Readers but Face Challenges

Nook. Kindle. iPad. [Name of library.] You’ve heard of all of these, right? You know that all four deliver digital content? No? Well, you’re not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, most people don’t know that U.S. public libraries provide e-books and other digital resources but in fact, today’s libraries offer their patrons more than ever before.

Our library continues to change and offer new services and programs to meet the ever-changing needs and desires of our communities. According to a 2012 American Library Association study, the number of public libraries offering e-books has doubled in the last five years, with 75 percent now offering the service. At [name of library] we began offering e-books [date: this month, this year, last year, etc]. This was not the beginning – nor will it be the end – of our commitment to reading, knowledge, imagination and lifelong learning for all.

Libraries help readers find authors, and authors find readers. We do this by selecting locally relevant materials, and through [local examples, e.g., author readings, classes on downloading library e-books, book clubs, recommendations for future reading] and other collaborations with authors and publishers. Libraries also are engaged in growing and supporting the next generations of readers – encouraging children and young adults to read for fun and for success in school and life. [Provide local example of how the library supports new readers] If you haven’t checked us out recently, now is a great time to stop by, log on, renew your library card or join a program or class.

While the [name of library] is working to ensure public access to information for all, the library system does face challenges. Some e-book bestsellers are greatly restricted or unavailable to most libraries for purchase. Of the e-books we can buy, the library price often is three or five times more than the consumer price, resulting in fewer copies for library readers to discover. These are profound issues – not just for libraries but also for authors (and even publishers) who want to connect with new readers.

On the other hand, other publishers – including hundreds of smaller, independent presses and a rising tide of self-published authors – do understand the value of placing books in libraries. A recent report from Library Journal found that more than half of all library users report purchasing books by an author they discovered through the library. Our library welcomes partners and collaborators to continue building a culture of reading and learning that embraces all formats, for all ages and all backgrounds.

Publishing is not just another industry. It has special and important significance to society. Libraries complement and, in fact, actively support this industry by supporting literacy and seeking to spread an infectious and lifelong love of reading and learning. Library lending encourages patrons to experiment by sampling new authors, topics, and genres. This experimentation stimulates the market for books, with the library serving as a de facto discovery, promotion, and awareness service for authors and publishers.

Visits to our library – both in person and online – have grown [include percentage growth, if high] over the past [how many?] years, as we also continue to circulate more books, audio and video [include circulation growth, if high]. Libraries have been central to complementing our public education system and ensuring access to information for all people.

Every publisher must allow libraries to lend e-books so we may continue to realize our mission of access for all. And every member of our community should put their library cards to work exploring our growing collections of resources online and in person. Your free public library card is the smartest card in your wallet – get it and use it for e-books and more today!

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