Local libraries struggle to afford soaring demand for eBooks and audiobooks

BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) – With eBooks and audiobooks becoming increasingly popular among readers, libraries across the nation are struggling to afford the increasing demand for digital content.

The demand for digital content has surged in recent years, especially during the pandemic. However, the high costs and restrictive leasing terms imposed by publishers pose significant hurdles for libraries in covering the expenses of electronic materials and meeting this growing demand.

“We are having to reallocate resources, spending less in certain areas and more on eBooks and audiobooks to meet that growing demand,” says David Otten, Information Services Manager at Bettendorf Public Library.

Otten explains that they would like to offer more eBooks and audiobooks, but the digital titles often come with a price tag far higher than hard copies.

“Some of the eBook licenses that we purchase are maybe four to five times as expensive as physical books. So sometimes, the thing that I encounter a lot with people is that they wonder why we don’t have as many eBooks as physical books. And it’s because of those expiring licenses.”

Unlike paper books, eBooks don’t last. Libraries lease their copies from digital publishing platforms, and after a year or two or a certain number of checkouts, they expire and have to be renewed.

“It gives us a 24-month license, and those are between $60 to $75, oftentimes,” said Otten. “So like I said, it varies by publisher, sometimes it varies a little bit by author. But a physical hardback book is going to cost us $14 to $18, maybe, so there’s quite a bit of difference.”

Otten says they’re constantly evaluating their collection to strike a balance between providing access to electronic materials and managing costs.

“Do I spend that on the new bestseller that’s going to check out 100 times? Or do I spend that money on buying multiple copies of that book so people don’t have to wait as long? Or do I spend that same amount of money on something that is important, but maybe there’s not as much interest in it.”

Despite efforts to advocate for more affordable access to digital titles, negotiating with publishers for lower prices has been an ongoing struggle for libraries.

“They have tried to make that a little bit more equitable and more similar to the terms in which we offer physical books. There are some advocacy organizations and things like that that are trying to represent libraries as a whole,” said Otten.

Staff also note that two years ago they had a 50% increase in circulation and demand for e-books. Last year, it was another 20%.

On the Illinois side, Moline Public Library Director says the use of eBooks has really expanded during the same period, and in 2023, the library checked out over 53,000 eBooks.

Lawmakers in several states including Illinois have proposed bills aimed at making electronic materials more affordable but they face strong opposition from the publishing industry.

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