People are going to realize what libraries already offer digitally, and what they can’t offer digitally, says PW’s Andrew Albanese
Catching up with PW's Andrew Albanese
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In a surprise announcement on Wednesday, trade book publisher Macmillan abandoned its controversial embargo on new release e-books in libraries, effective this week.
According to Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer, the news comes as libraries across the nation are (or soon will be) closing down their physical locations in an attempt to slow the outbreak of the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
As Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally, the pandemic has highlighted how important library access is for e-books and e-audiobooks.
“I think people are now going to realize what libraries already offer digitally, and what they can’t offer digitally,” he says. “Perhaps most importantly, this is going to draw attention to what terms libraries face in the digital market.
“As we come out of this crisis, our challenges will be two competing realizations: that local tax revenues, from which libraries draw their support, are going to be decimated. And that libraries – and digital library access – are more important than ever.”
Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.
