<html><body><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000"><div data-marker="__QUOTED_TEXT__"><div id="zimbraEditorContainer" style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000" class="2"><div>All,</div><br><div>You are no doubt aware of the huge price discrepancies that exist when it comes to the price of a consumer eBook vs. the price of a library eBook. ALA and the state library associations, MLA included, have been working with legislators in an effort to find a solution. The goal is not to put publishers/authors/aggregators (OverDrive, etc.) in financial peril which serves none of us well but rather, to come up with a fair and equitable solution that benefits all, including libraries.</div><br><div>Below are links to three articles related to this issue. </div><br><div>The Axios article summarizes an eBook price equity law that is scheduled to go into effect in Maryland on January 1. The Association of American Publishers has filed an injunction for emergency relief in an effort to overturn the MD law. In New York, a similar law is on the Governor's desk. It will go into effect if signed, or even if the Governor takes no action. I have read of similar efforts taking place in Rhode Island. The article also mentions Massachusetts.</div><div><br data-mce-bogus="1"></div><div>On a national level, Senator Wyden (OR) and Representative Eshoo (CA) sent letters both to publishers (September, 2021) and to aggregators (OverDrive, etc. November, 2021) asking them a series of questions related to this issue.  <!--StartFragment--><span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;" data-mce-style="color: #000000; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Summaries of these letters, as well as links to the letters themselves, can be found in the second and third link.</span><!--EndFragment--><div style="clear: both;" data-mce-style="clear: both;"><br data-mce-bogus="1"></div>I've yet to see any information released when it comes to the answers to these questions.</div><br><div><a href="https://www.axios.com/libraries-enlist-states-in-fight-over-ebook-rules-f165794c-ffb7-4f0d-a6b8-498e8786c8f1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.axios.com/libraries-enlist-states-in-fight-over-ebook-rules-f165794c-ffb7-4f0d-a6b8-498e8786c8f1.html</a><br></div><div><a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/wyden-eshoo-press-big-five-publishers-on-costly-overly-restrictive-e-book-contracts-with-libraries" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/wyden-eshoo-press-big-five-publishers-on-costly-overly-restrictive-e-book-contracts-with-libraries</a><br></div><div><a href="https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-and-eshoo-press-for-answers-on-restrictive-e-book-agreements-that-limit-libraries-digital-lending" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-and-eshoo-press-for-answers-on-restrictive-e-book-agreements-that-limit-libraries-digital-lending</a><br></div><br>The Michigan Library Association is doing a great job of keeping on top of this. 2022 could prove to be an interesting year on the eBook front!</div><div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000" class="2"><br data-mce-bogus="1"></div><div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000" class="2">Happy Holidays to all.</div><div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000" class="2"><br data-mce-bogus="1"></div><div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000" class="2">Jim<br><br><div>Jim Flury<br>Technical Services Manager<br>The Library Network<br>41365 Vincenti Court<br>Novi, MI 48375<br>248-536-3100, ext 133<br>Fax 248-536-3098<br>jflury@tln.lib.mi.us</div></div><br></div></div></body></html>