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Why did some publishers refuse to let libraries lend their e-books?
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e-book
An e-reader on display at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany, 2012.
Some book publishers refused to allow their e-books to be offered through libraries because they were concerned that the availability of e-books in library collections would make consumers less inclined to purchase print versions of those titles.1
This decision reflects the broader tensions within the publishing industry as it navigates the shift from traditional print-based business models to digital distribution. Publishers often balance the need to maintain profitability and protect their intellectual property against the evolving expectations of readers and the changing landscape of information access.12