View From the Phlipside - Harper Collins and Library E-Books

My name is Jay Phillippi and I've spent my life in and around the media.  TV, radio, the movies and more.  I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion.  Call this the View from the Phlipside.

Now that I'm an e-book reader owner (still enjoying my Nook Color a great deal thank you very much) I've been exploring the whole new world of electronic publishing.  It's very interesting and still very much in a state of flux as we try and figure out what the new business models are going to look like.

Everyone it seems except for publisher Harper Collins.  They apparently are not only trying to hang on to the OLD business model but they're trying to make it even more restrictive and, oh yes did I mention, profitable for themselves.

I've got nothing against publishers making a dollar.  That's what keeps the

flow of new reading material headed my way.  Given the amount I read I need a steady influx of new titles.  The key problem is that while the traditional book wears out eventually a digital book probably never will.  And that is a loss in sales of replacement volumes.  Ok fine.  But Harper Collins used to sell e-books to libraries with a lifetime license.  That was their choice.  At the end of last month they announced a new policy.  The e-book could be lent 26 times and then the license would expire.  Meaning if the library still wanted that book in circulation they'd have to buy it again.  The publisher is quick to point out that replacement versions would be available at a reduced price. 

All of which misses the point.  With an average loan time of 2 weeks that means the e-book, if it's popular, is good for a year.  The average traditional book has a lifetime several times that long.  In fact I regularly check out books from our local library that are 10-15 years old.

Harper Collins has identified a legitimate area of concern for their business.  The answer they've chosen is arbitrary, illogical and not in their own best interests in the long run.  Given the extremely tight budgets faced by many libraries, the Prendergast included, they need to spend their dollars wisely.  Some libraries have already decided that they simply won't be buying any more Harper Collins e-books.  From Harper Collins point of view it just means they are creating an obstacle to becoming a prominent player in a growing publishing market.  In a word it's stupid.

Like many players in the music industry Harper Collins is choosing to cling to an out dated business model and attempt to win the day by throwing its weight around.  For the music industry that has resulted in an huge increase in product piracy and let Apple's iTunes store become a major driving force in setting product price.

You'd think a book publisher might read a little more history than they apparently have.

Call that the View From the Phlipside

Check out this video prepared by librarians to explain the issue:

"The View From the Phlipside" airs on WRFA-LP Jamestown NY.  You can listen to WRFA online HERE
Copyright - Jay Phillippi 2011