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Library director: ebook circulation rising but publisher licenses limit libraries' access
Summary
Library Director Shelley Tugas told the council local ebook and e-audiobook circulation has grown substantially, but publishers' licensing models (time-limited licenses or meter-based checkouts) make digital copies costlier for libraries than physical books and limit long-term access.
Shelley Tugas, Hudson's library director, reported that e-material circulation in the library's service area has increased from roughly 47,000 to 77,000 checkouts over six years. Tugas explained that libraries do not "buy" ebooks in the traditional sense; publishers sell licenses that typically expire after about two years or roughly 20 checkouts, meaning libraries must relicense popular titles at substantially higher cost than consumer retail prices.
Tugas contrasted consumer ebook prices ("$10, maybe $20") with library license costs that can reach $50 to $60 for the same title and said audiobooks are generally even more expensive. She said libraries in the regional cooperative system (IFLIS) pool resources and that local libraries sometimes contribute additional funds to prioritize high-demand purchases.
Tugas emphasized that digital collections currently supplement rather than replace physical collections, citing data showing younger patrons still favor physical books, and urged realistic expectations about library budgets and publishers' business models.
