Danger Posed to Literature by Book Bans superior to the Perceived Risks
In a time when the literary culture of the United States is under threat, a movement is rising to protect and preserve the historical archives of newspapers and magazines, and to restore the traditional role of libraries as a permanent repository of books and periodical literature.
The initiative, led by Brick House, a writers' cooperative, aims to create a model that provides a direct, intermediary-free connection between authors, publishers, libraries, and readers. Hundreds of small publishers have joined this movement, seeking to bypass the control of unaccountable billion-dollar companies that currently dominate the digital book market.
Amazon currently commands over 80% of the e-book market, while KKR, with assets of $22.7 billion, controls as much as 90% of library e-book loans through the OverDrive/Libby platform. Ingram Industries, with annual revenues of $2.7 billion, and Clarivate, with annual revenues of $2.6 billion, also hold significant influence in the market.
The Follett Corporation, with annual revenues of $2.8 billion, and EBSCO Industries, with annual revenues of $3.1 billion, are also key players. The company currently holding the largest number of digital book lending titles in the USA is OverDrive, which provides digital collections to major public libraries like the Boston Public Library and many others nationwide. OverDrive's platform, accessible through apps like Libby and integrated with various public libraries, dominates the digital lending market in the US.
However, many more publishers and authors are interested in joining this movement but are unable due to exclusive rights contracts with intermediaries. These contracts prevent them from providing libraries with e-books for permanent ownership, instead only allowing for temporary licensing that can expire and be shut off.
The irreparable damage done to universities, libraries, schools, and research institutions by Republicans working to dismantle the country's literary culture has sparked a response. Protecting and strengthening library collections is seen as a crucial shield for the culture in this dark moment.
The Library of Congress has attempted a takeover by the federal government this year, and the Smithsonian is scheduled for a "patriotic" review of collections. Worryingly, volumes on gender and diversity have been removed from military libraries.
Building open-source models to connect publishers and libraries directly is considered an important step in preserving and rebuilding literary culture. This movement, driven by a shared commitment to the power of literature and the importance of libraries, offers a glimmer of hope in these challenging times.
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