91��ý

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today Macmillan announces that its frontlist ebooks will be available through its public library e-lending program. 91��ý President Courtney Young released the following statement:

“The Macmillan expansion of its library ebook program represents another important development for improving the ability of libraries to serve America’s communities. One of the most fundamental relationships and roles of libraries is to connect authors and readers. Library lending encourages experimentation, enabling people to sample new authors, topics, and genres, and stimulates the market for books. Thus libraries are a critical de facto discovery, promotion and awareness service for authors and publishers.”

“91��ý’s first meeting with Macmillan CEO John Sargent and his leadership team took place at the beginning of 2012. At that meeting, it was clear that our ideas about library ebook lending were highly divergent. We have both learned a lot since that time, and the market has evolved considerably. We are pleased that Macmillan has transitioned from no library ebook lending to limited pilots and now to offering its full ebook catalog to libraries.”

“Today represents an important step forward in ensuring that the public has access to the full range of digital content. However, we must remember that the digital content marketplace is in the midst of a revolution, and thus many more issues remain to be addressed. 91��ý looks forward to continuing discussions with Macmillan, and more broadly with authors, authors’ representatives, publishers, distributors, and retailers to create new opportunities to support a healthy reading ecosystem for the digital age.”

About the 91��ý

The 91��ý is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 57,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the 91��ý is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.