Penguin Speeds Up Library Ebook Access

Starting April 2, libraries will be allowed to offer digital copies of Penguin Group’s newest releases – at the same time print copies of the books release, according to the Associated Press.

It’s a switch from the publisher’s previous stance, which required libraries to wait six months before offering ebook copies of new titles.  

Publishers placed restrictions on library ebooks because they worried about losing sales.

According to the Associated Press, Penguin has tracked ebook usage at libraries and decided the library downloads had an acceptable impact on commercial revenues.

Penguin publishes popular authors such as Khaled Hosseini and Harlan Coben.

Access to library ebooks will still be limited. Libraries can lend one ebook version of a title at a time, and must pay yearly to continue making the ebooks available for library patrons.