Ebook Licensing Issues in Libraries - Libraries are facing a shift from owning physical books to licensing ebooks, leading to a loss of control over their collections [1] - Unlike print books, ebooks are not owned but licensed, which means libraries don't have the same rights, including the right to resell [1] - Publishers are removing thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of ebooks from library catalogs monthly due to licensing restrictions [1] - The cost of licensing ebooks is artificially high, often more expensive than buying print books, and has risen faster than inflation [1] - Publishers impose non-disclosure clauses, preventing libraries from discussing ebook prices with each other [1] - Publishers bundle ebooks, forcing libraries to license unwanted content [1] Scholarly Publishing and Open Access Solutions - Scholarly publishing relies on research and manuscripts created at universities, funded by tuition, taxpayer dollars, and grants [1][2] - Libraries are spending significant amounts on ebooks, with Penn State spending over $13 million annually [2] - Open Access literature, like the journal Glossa, offers a free alternative to costly subscriptions, such as Lingua's $2,500 annual fee [2] - Open Educational Resources (OER) address rising textbook costs, with 65% of Penn State students avoiding textbook purchases due to expense [2] - Libraries are working to identify and make discoverable over 120万 resources that are freely available online [2]