I like this idea, but I wonder—how many people / students actually use physical libraries still? I don’t think I’ve used one in over 15 years. My impression is that most are in chronic decline (and many have closed over the last decade).
I imagine that e-book systems (text and audio) work via access to large libraries, rather than needing people to request books be added individually? So maybe there is no action needed on this front (although someone should probably check that most EA books are available in such collections).
I think print books are still preferred by more readers compared to e-books. You might as well donate the books in both the physical and digital formats and probably also as an audiobook.
It looks like libraries don’t generally have an official way for you to donate print books virtually or to donate e-books, so I think you would have to inquire with them about whether you can make a donation and ask them to use that to buy specific books. Note that the cost of e-book licenses to libraries is many times the consumer sale price.
I like this idea, but I wonder—how many people / students actually use physical libraries still? I don’t think I’ve used one in over 15 years. My impression is that most are in chronic decline (and many have closed over the last decade).
A way around this could be to provide e-books and audio books instead of physical copies. Would also make the distribution easier.
(In the UK at least, it’s possible to borrow e & audio from your local library using the Libby app)
I imagine that e-book systems (text and audio) work via access to large libraries, rather than needing people to request books be added individually? So maybe there is no action needed on this front (although someone should probably check that most EA books are available in such collections).
My understanding is that individual libraries license an ebook for a number of uses or a set period of time (say, two years).
I think print books are still preferred by more readers compared to e-books. You might as well donate the books in both the physical and digital formats and probably also as an audiobook.
It looks like libraries don’t generally have an official way for you to donate print books virtually or to donate e-books, so I think you would have to inquire with them about whether you can make a donation and ask them to use that to buy specific books. Note that the cost of e-book licenses to libraries is many times the consumer sale price.