Two more states are trying to charge the library for e-books

Andrew Albanese writes the following for Weekly editors:

Illinois has become the latest state to introduce a library e-book bill, with state lawmakers introducing the Fair Access to Electronic Literature Act last week. Additionally, Rhode Island lawmakers reintroduced their library e-book bill in the new legislative session after a previous effort stalled last year.

The Illinois Bill provides that publishers who offer “a contract or license for the acquisition of electronic literary products to the public must offer libraries to license the electronic literary product, if purchased with public funds, on reasonable and as part of reasonable technological safeguards that will enable libraries to provide their patrons with access to electronic literary products.

The bill in Rhode Island is similar, though it specifically extends the law to cover “elementary and secondary schools and educational institutions” in the state. …

[T]he Illinois bill specifically refers to licenses paid for with “public funds,” which apparently would not cover universities, schools, and private libraries. In addition, the Illinois bill states that “reasonable” terms “may include” library prices “not more than 100% of the current retail price offered to consumers” for metered access titles.

For more information, read the article.