A new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, Libraries, Patrons, and E-books,
offers a glimpse at the current state of American libraries and finds
them eager to lend e-books but struggling to do so, primarily because of
budget limits and restrictions publishers place on e-book lending.
Of America’s 9,000 public library systems, 76 percent now offer
e-books, up from 67 percent last year. But patrons are often unaware
that libraries offer e-book lending — 62 percent of those surveyed said
they didn’t know if their library lends e-books.
Twelve percent of e-book readers have tried borrowing digital books
from a library, but indicate the process is cumbersome, with wait lists
that can stretch for months, lack of availability for many titles, an
inability to renew, and difficulty with the downloading process.
Fifty-six percent said they couldn’t find the particular e-book they
wanted from their library, and 18 percent said their library’s e-books
were incompatible with their e-reader.
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