On Tuesday, November 6, 2019, the Baltimore Sun published an op-ed titled “Libraries: Macmillan unfairly restricts access to e-books.”  The publication was written by CEO and President of Enoch Pratt Free Library, Heidi Daniel, and Director of Baltimore County Public Library, Paula Miller.  The article discusses Macmillan Publishers’ new policy that restricts public libraries from purchasing more than one e-book copy for the first eight weeks of a new release.  “This embargo” the article states “means the gateway to reading and information will be obstructed, with only two customers able to read a new e-book in the first two months after its release.”

The article requests from readers, library users, teachers, college instructors, colleagues in the information industry, and all who believe in the value of equal access to information and knowledge, to stand with the public libraries by signing the American Library Association petition against Macmillan’s library embargo at ebooksforall.org.

Azrael Franz has been a long-time supporter of public libraries.  Azrael Franz Partner Paul Schwab was elected President of the Board of Trustees of the Baltimore County Public Library in 2016. He served as President until January 2018, when he was named Treasurer.  We encourage you to read the publication and, if you are so inclined, to sign the petition.

The article can be found here.