Why aren't there more ebooks?

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eBooks are a hot commodity. With many having received an e-reader of some kind as a gift over the holidays, the library community is seeing a massive jump in the number of requests for ebook services. Our own Washington Anytime Library (via Overdrive) has seen an unprecedented number of checkouts and holds since the holiday, and it shows no sign of letting off.

In the meantime, we're seeing patrons a tad dismayed by increased wait times and also that they can't find certain books in the digital format.

Unfortunately, our hands are tied:

"Sadly, unlike a regular person, a library cannot pay Amazon or Barnes & Noble for an eBook and then lend it out to people. We can buy a printed book from these companies, place it on the shelf, and lend it out--but digital content is being treated differently by the publishers and the companies who manage digital content licensing." (Sacramento Public Library, "Why aren't there more eBooks?")

This makes it tough for us to fulfill your needs. Currently, there are five publishers who are refusing to provide viable solutions for libraries:

Macmillan
Simon and Schuster
Penguin Group
Hatchette Book Group
Brilliance Audio

It's just the tip of the iceberg, however:

Do you think this is wrong? We do, too. If you want to help, we encourage you to make your discontent known by contacting these publishers to let them know what you think.

Macmillan Publishing
75 Varick Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 226-7521
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Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 698-7000
http://simonandschuster.com/about/contact_us

Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 366-2000
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Hachette Book Group
466 Lexington Avenue #131
New York, NY 10017
(212) 364-1100
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Brilliance Audio
1704 Eaton Drive
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 846-5256
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