4 ms·

Not smart enough to comment on the actual IP discussion, but I do wonder about the sustainability of digital lending I say that as a user who LOVES reading dig

Not smart enough to comment on the actual IP discussion, but I do wonder about the sustainability of digital lending I say that as a user who LOVES reading digital books from the library. I got a Kindle ~a year ago, and have read around 25 books, all but one borrowed from the library. I would have paid for those books before, but now get them instantly, for free. It's amazing! Even getting/managing holds isn't a hassle- I check for my next book a few days before I finish my current book, and that usually results in getting off any waitlist by the time I'm ready to read it. Obviously, I could get the physical books from the library before, but I didn't find myself doing them- the logistics were slightly annoying, if I'm reading a physical book anyways, I tend to want to just grab a copy for my collection, with Amazon I can get a book the next day. Digital book distribution does feel different in a tangible way to me. So as a result, I am now not spending $250+ a year on books. I suspect I'm not the only one in the situation. Currently- I love it. But I'm wondering if it is sustainable.

ptman 4y ago
Where I live, libraries pay royalties based on loans, similar to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Lending_Right https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Lending_Right
kristopolous 4y ago
That's probably different. It's the gatekeeping by default, even for things that have been out of print for 50 years. It greatly hinders research unless you have the luxury of constant plane flights to arrival libraries and purchasing things on Abe books.
35208654 4y ago
>but now get them instantly, for free. It's amazing! You know this already, but just a kind reminder that you didn't get them for free. You paid for the library with your tax dollars, and continue to do so. Which means you are absolutely right to utilize this! I make this statement to remind others that libraries are public goods that you pay for and should utilize. This sends a market signal. This matters!
- unethical_ban 4y ago
  This. Reminder: Legal lending from libraries has artificial restrictions on how many digital copies can be "checked out" at a time, and libraries are paying for the privilege of lending out books. I don't know the details or if those lending privileges are perpetual the same way a physical copy would be, but that's what's happening. If you are viewing books legally, someone somewhere is getting money. Who gets what is another question (Kindle unlimited, for example.)

ptman 4y ago

Where I live, libraries pay royalties based on loans, similar to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Lending_Right https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Lending_Right

kristopolous 4y ago

That's probably different. It's the gatekeeping by default, even for things that have been out of print for 50 years. It greatly hinders research unless you have the luxury of constant plane flights to arrival libraries and purchasing things on Abe books.

35208654 4y ago

>but now get them instantly, for free. It's amazing! You know this already, but just a kind reminder that you didn't get them for free. You paid for the library with your tax dollars, and continue to do so. Which means you are absolutely right to utilize this! I make this statement to remind others that libraries are public goods that you pay for and should utilize. This sends a market signal. This matters!

unethical_ban 4y ago
This. Reminder: Legal lending from libraries has artificial restrictions on how many digital copies can be "checked out" at a time, and libraries are paying for the privilege of lending out books. I don't know the details or if those lending privileges are perpetual the same way a physical copy would be, but that's what's happening. If you are viewing books legally, someone somewhere is getting money. Who gets what is another question (Kindle unlimited, for example.)