About Macmillan's eBook policy change
In a policy change that took effect Nov. 1, Macmillan Publishers is allowing libraries and library systems to purchase only one copy of each new eBook title for the first eight weeks after a book’s release.
This limits access to new titles and thus limits access to readers during this eight-week period. Customers will see a popup box on Macmillan eBook titles in OverDrive when they go to checkout with information on the new restrictions.
The Pioneer Library System’s plans for Macmillan eBooks are as follows:
Per the new policy, the Pioneer Library System will purchase the one allowed copy of new Macmillan eBooks during the first eight weeks of release.
Each title will have only a seven-day checkout period during that eight weeks to allow more people to access the title.
After the initial eight-week period, PLS will purchase more copies to meet demand and the checkout period will return to normal.
As Macmillan is one of the nation’s five largest book publishers, cardholders may discover delays in accessing a good number of new titles in the coming weeks. Readers can voice their concerns about the move by going online to the American Library Association petition.