Introduction

The common perception of the modern public library service in the UK tends to involve cuts to book funds, long waiting lists for the latest titles and reductions in opening hours. Consequently, the view of some critics that whatever resources remain available to public library managers should be devoted to providing the best ‘traditional’ service possible, rather than fragmenting effort and funds in exploring ways of diversifying service provision, is one that strikes a chord with many members of the public.

Yet, against this background, public library provision of e-books has begun to gather pace. A comparatively early survey commissioned by Resource (Dearnley et al., 2002) found that only one public library in the UK (Blackburn with Darwen) was actively providing an e-book service. Five years later, there were still only a couple more, but, by 2010, the number had risen to around 20, with more in the pipeline. Meanwhile, in the USA growth followed a similar pattern, beginning with the takeup of NetLibrary by a small number of public libraries in 1998 to a position in 2010 where OverDrive alone had over 9000 services as customers.

So, at a time when most libraries in the sector struggle to balance budgetary constraints with demands to help fulfil a multiplicity of agendas, how is it possible to justify branching out into such a service, where levels of take-up are uncertain, when the technology is still unstable, and which threatens to dilute already diminished funds even further? This chapter aims to make a sound case for the introduction of e-books into the public library environment, as well as examining some of the practical issues involved in such a development.

The strategic case for e-books

Is the current push for e-books simply yet another example of public library managers ignoring what the public want and jumping on the latest bandwagon, driven by a fear of being seen to be behind the times?

If so, it would clearly be difficult to defend such a position. However, in the light of their successful engagement with electronic reference material, it is perhaps surprising that more UK public libraries have not adopted e-books sooner.