11 ms·

If I buy an ebook, can I give it "used" to a library? I would like to, but I don't even know if that's a thing. (Let's assume for the sake of the question that

• CuriousCosmic 3y ago
  For textbooks? No. And nowadays a lot of them also expire after a year since by then the student likely no longer needs it. It's a really gross industry
  • ghaff 3y ago
    I would question that you don't need a university textbook after a year. I can't say I remember specific examples but I'm pretty sure I referred to earlier textbooks for later engineering classes.
    • bluish29 3y ago
      I still refer to my undergrad textbooks in maths and physics till this day. There are usually the basics and you need to review them a lot if you are working in STEM fields.
• harshreality 3y ago
  In theory, maybe. In practice, no. In theory, a publisher could sell you an ebook, declare that you own it and can transfer it (like a digital right of first sale) as long as you don't keep a copy. In practice, it would be a hassle for libraries to verify that permission, so even if you had such a book, they might say thanks but no thanks. Essentially all ebooks are sold under license that each book is for your use only, and no transfers are allowed. Because ebooks are licensed, and not sold complete with a right of first sale, retailers can set whatever conditions they want depending on who they sell to, and the market can't arbitrage. That's why libraries have to pay more for an ebook they're allowed to lend 10 times than you have to pay for the same ebook on Amazon.
• miah_ 3y ago
  Its very rare that "buying" a ebook results in you "owning" the copy you bought, at best its a rental. A physical book though, if you are holding it in your hands, you own it.