Pricing for eBooks and eAudiobooks is increasing along with the use of those formats. These factors are the cause of long holds queues for popular titles on Libby and CloudLibrary. Patrons are likely unaware of what’s behind the wait time for a book, or why we don’t have the title they want and might get annoyed. Understanding and explaining the eBook pricing crisis can alleviate some of that frustration and redirect it toward the cause.
Parkland eContent Use and Statistics
- The use of eAudio at PRLS has doubled in the last five years, and the demand is still increasing
- Every library in the system has some level of eContent use, ranging up to 36% of their total circulation
- In 2025, 27% of libraries bought eContent from their local budgets totaling $46,275
- Prices for content are increasing: our average eAudio cost in 2022 was $83.82, and in 2026 it’s $96.23, with some eAudio costing almost $200. Our average eBook cost in 2022 was $36.85, and in 2026 it’s $58.41
The Urban Libraries Council has called for two changes to eContent pricing
- Time-metered e-book licenses (e.g., 1- 2-year licenses) are rarely a responsible use of taxpayer funds – library licenses should be based on use.
- An option of perpetual licenses for mid- and backlist titles would work better for public libraries – and many libraries are willing to pay a premium for such access.
Further Reading & Resources
This video by Angela Hursch of Super Library Marketing does a great job of explaining different ways you can explain eBook pricing to your patrons.
Here are some social media templates for explaining this complex issue to your patrons.