Seattle Public Library reduces maximum number of digital holds

Departure Tuesday, March 19, THE Seattle Public Library East reduce THE number of maximum is holding allowed on electronic books And electronic audio books Since 25 has 10.

Please note that if You to have more that ten is holding on digital books has that time, You won't lose any of them of these is holding. You just won't be able has place new is holding until You are In THE new limit. Also, THE limit For digital loan has not amended – You can always borrow up has 25 digital books has A time.

While THE vast majority of OUR clients won't be affected by This change, We to want has explain Why THE Library necessary has reduce THE is holding limit has manage expenses And meet increasing patron interest In digital books. In THE Questions and answers below, We Also share a few advice For alternative tools You can to use For follow up books You to want has read And manufacturing THE most of your Library account.

For what did THE Library need has TO DO This change?

If you have begin loan digital books Since THE Library In recent years, you have has been part of THE the biggest change In library ready In recent story.

Although THE popularity of digital books was rising Before 2020, THE pandemic accelerated This orient yourself. HAS THE Seattle Public Library, annual crates of digital books almost triple Since 2015 has 2022, as did fresh.

THE Library has increase investment In digital collections has meet patron interest. Unfortunately, because of THE path digital books are Dear For libraries, meeting increase request has come has A cost that has become unsustainable.

For what are digital books SO expensive?

As A consumer, When You buy A Ebook Or electronic audio book, he costs about THE even Or Sometimes even less that THE to print book version. But For libraries, THE Ebook Or electronic audio book version of A title In fact costs up has three times Or more that THE to print version.

This East because editors to use A Licence model For sale electronic books has libraries. Each copy of A digital book title requires A purchase of A Licence. While there are a lot types of licenses, THE most common Licence needs has be bought And SO redeemed each year.

What TO DO is holding to have has TO DO with THE cost of digital books?

This can seem surprising, but patron is holding are THE Single the biggest postman In rising costs. HAS maintain reasonable wait times, THE Library bought additional licenses of A digital title When clients place more is holding on he. That means that When hundreds of clients place is holding on A Single New York Times Bestseller, THE costs of "purchase down THE is holding " can quickly become astronomical.

In 2023, 62% of THE The library expenses on digital books was used has purchase additional copies has fill is holding put on popular titles.

As You can see In THE chart below, Library costs For meeting increase patron interest In popular electronic books to have almost triple Since 2015. Reduce THE number of is holding THE Library allow can help We better manage these costs, which will allow We has continue provide A wide And miscellaneous selection of electronic books And electronic audio books, And has meet patron request all year.

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East This change be do due has THE The city budget challenge...