We know you want more digital books, but…
Sadly, a library cannot simply purchase an eBook in the same way a consumer would at Amazon or Barnes and Noble and then lend it out to people. The copyright doctrine of first sale, which allows libraries to purchase printed material from these companies, place it on the shelf, and lend it out, does not apply to digital items. So, while the Public Libraries of Saginaw would very much like to offer a wider selection of eBooks to our patrons; the publishers’ policies are preventing us from doing so.
The following companies currently refuse to sell or license eBooks to libraries:
- Macmillan Publishing
- Simon & Schuster
- Penguin Group
- Brilliance Audio
- Hachette Book Group
Additionally, Random House recently set up a new pricing structure for eBooks for libraries. They charge as much as triple the cost they charge retail consumers, making it impossible for us to purchase the quantity of eBooks we’d like.
Some other publishers will sell us a copy but only allow a limited number of check-outs before forcing us to buy another copy. HarperCollins is an example. In most cases, especially with best-sellers, the library simply can’t afford to keep purchasing copies.
If you have a favorite author who is published by one of these companies and you can’t find their eBooks on our site, it may be that we are simply unable to get the title you’d like or that we can’t afford it. If you’d like to see that changed, we encourage you to write or call the publishers to let them know what you think. For your convenience, the addresses are provided below.
Macmillan Publishing
75 Varick Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 226-7521
customerservice@mpsvirginia.com
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 698-7000
http://simonandschuster.com/about/contact_us
Hachette Book Group
466 Lexington Avenue #131
New York, NY 10017
(212) 364-1100
customer.service@hbgusa.com
Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 366-2000
ecommerce@us.penguingroup.com
Brilliance Audio
1704 Eaton Drive
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 846-5256
libsales@brillianceaudio.com
HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-207-7000
orders@harpercollins.com
Random House , Inc.
1745 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(212) 782-9000
ecustomerservice@randomhouse.com
