This document summarizes the current ebook landscape including business models, pricing, and the role of libraries. It discusses the agency model where publishers set ebook prices and the traditional wholesale model. Public libraries face challenges in providing ebooks due to price increases from publishers and limits on checkouts. While ebook reading is growing, many readers still prefer print and people first look to online stores rather than libraries for ebooks. Questions remain around universal ebook access and the future of publishing and libraries in the digital environment.

1. Ebooks: Behind the headlines
Rita Baladad, Minitex
Brian R. Kraft, Washington County Library

2. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/146980765.html

3. Agency Model vs. Traditional/Wholesale Model
Amazon to customer
Agency model “Big Six” publishers $5.00
$5.00, publisher
to Apple to customer and distributor
Amazon, Apple, Barn split profit
es & Noble, other
distributors Barnes & Noble to
customer
Amazon to customer $4.00
“Big Six” publishers $5.00
Traditional to Amazon, Apple, Apple to customer $6.00
model Barnes & Noble,
other distributors Barnes & Noble to $6.00
customer
distributor
keeps profit
(or loss)

4. http://gigaom.com/2012/04/11/the-e-book-wars-who-is-less-evil-amazon-or-book-publishers/

5. http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/consumers-upset-and-confused-over-e-book-
pricing/?et_mid=551778&rid=188482864

8. http://librarianbyday.net/2012/03/07/should-libraries-get-out-of-the-ebook-business/

9. Purchasing an eBook from Online Bookstore
Search Download via
Store Purchase title
WiFi
Customer owns the title.

10. Accessing an eBook from a Public Library
Checked out –
place hold
Kindle
Search Download Unless
eBook via WiFi Penguin, via USB
Catalog Available –
checkout in EPUB,PDF
eReader
Open in Adobe
Kindle, PDF, EPU download to Digital Editions Transfer to
B computer device via USB
Download to
Tablet
Open app tablet
Library leases the title & allows users to read through Digital Rights Management.

11. The Major Publishers

12. The Major Publishers
Working with Public Libraries

13. The Major Publishers
Working with Public Libraries
Tripled prices in March
Limits Checkouts to 26

17. http://srpubliclibrary.org/whatsnew/did-you-know-your-library-cant-buy-ebooks-from-many-publishe.html

18. http://douglascountylibraries.org/content/ebooks-and-DCL

19. Pew Internet & American Life Project: The rise of e-reading
Published April 4, 2012
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2012/04/04/the-rise-of-e-reading/

20. December 2011
17%
Adults reading eBooks
February 2012
21%
Total Adults who Read eContent (books,
own eReader or Tablet magazines, newspaper)
29% 43%

21. eBooks vs. Print
eBooks preferred print preferred
While traveling Reading with children
Want a title to read now Sharing with family/friends
50/50 Reading in bed

22. Average eBook reader
• Reads more books (both eBooks and print)
• Spends more time reading
• Is under the age of 50
• Has some college education
• Earns household income $50,000+
• Purchases books rather than borrows

23. When looking for a particular
ebook, where do you go first?
75% 12%
Online bookstore Public library
or website

24. http://www.newstimes.com/opinion/article/Keith-Miller-Why-need-new-library-when-e-books-3396818.php

27. Questions to ponder as we go forward
 Will everyone own a device in the future?
 Can everyone afford to purchase all the eBooks they read?
 Can libraries continue to offer books for those who cannot?
 How long before most books are only available as eBooks?
 Will the publishers work with libraries?
 Will libraries own or just lease content?
 Will Digital Rights Management continue?

28. Questions?

29. Thanks!
Rita Baladad, Minitex
balad001@umn.edu
Brian R. Kraft, Washington County Library
brian.kraft@co.washington.mn.us