CASTLE ROCK, Colo.—The public library system in Douglas County, where bedroom suburbs rub shoulders with century-old ranches, seems an unlikely game-changer in the world of publishing.
But the county’s innovative e-book lending platform, which aims to flip the dynamic between publishers and libraries, is giving hope to cash-strapped libraries that they’ll be able to offer more electronic material to users, for less money.
The Douglas County model was developed by Douglas County Libraries director Jamie LaRue.
As the popularity of e-books increased, more than one-fifth of Douglas County Libraries’ patrons preferred e-books to print books by the end of 2012.
In the past, publishers sold their quarterly crop of books to libraries at a 40 to 45 percent discount. The library bought new versions if a book was revised or was worn out.
But as the demand for e-books rose, publishers introduced middlemen into the formula, distributors who owned e-book publishing platforms, which made e-books accessible to library patrons.
The distributors offered libraries a single e-book for, say, $72 to $120, and limited the number of times, typically 12 to 26, that e-book could be checked out.
A print book might cost libraries between $4 and $10, a sharp discount from the retail price. The low price was based on the gamble that faithful readers might then buy their own copies at a bookstore.
LaRue came up with his own plan. If Douglas County Libraries owned the hardware and software that allowed the library to own, publish and lend e-books, the library could work directly with the publisher.
LaRue said it cost $100,000 to set up the system, and it’s expected to pay for itself.
The library also allows patrons to purchase the e-book outright.
Mark Coker, who founded the independent distributor SmashWords.com, called LaRue a visionary.
“What he’s created is a very complex, sophisticated e-book checkout system. It allows the library to check out e-books, one patron at a time, just like checking out a print book, to honor copyright and licensing agreements. The Douglas County model doesn’t replace publishers. It offers a catalog of high-quality books, and it’s great content that’s available for library patrons.”
A collective of California libraries has already followed Douglas County Libraries’ lead. Libraries in Kansas, Washington state, Alaska and Australia are interested in creating their own e-book lending platforms.
LaRue and his staff also began publishing The Wire, an online coaching resource for aspiring authors. With perseverance and The Wire’s step-by-step explanation of each part of the writing, publishing and marketing process, a novice can become a published author in less than a year.
“Five years ago, there was a stigma with self-publishing,” Coker said. “It was the last resort for failed authors. But a number of those authors rejected by traditional publishers went on to self-publish, and many became best-selling authors who are earning 60, 70 and 80 percent of the list price as their royalty, whereas traditional publishers only pay 5 to 15 percent royalties to authors.”
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Information from: The Denver Post,
