Fair Practices for Libraries Purchasing Electronic Materials

This bill eliminates unfair costs and terms for libraries to obtain electronic literary materials from publishers, distributors, and other entities. This bill will require that libraries are fairly treated in the purchasing of electronic literary materials for library users. 

New Jersey libraries have a long history of providing materials to the public for their education and enjoyment. Unfortunately, publishers, distributors, and other entities have used their power to undercut the ability of public libraries to continue this traditional role in the community. 

Currently, New Jersey libraries are required to pay approximately 3 times more for digital titles than the public. They are also required to re-purchase the items repeatedly based on the number of uses or the period licensed for. Additionally, some publishers will not sell their digital titles to libraries at all.

In 2024, New Jersey residents checked out:

• 4,642,875 e-Books    
• 1,342,341 e-Magazines 
• 4,094,201 e-Audio 

In 2024, New Jersey public libraries spent over $17 million to provide digital materials to residents, compared to $9.3 million in 2019. Under the current contracts with publishers, distributors, and other entities, many of the titles bought with taxpayer support this year will need to be re-purchased at inflated rates again and again for years to come.