eBooks come at a hefty cost for public libraries: Henrico County is facing the challenge in stride

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Public libraries are doing their best to keep up with the demands of reading becoming more digital, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

Maybe you've asked yourself, "Why do I have to get on a waitlist for a digital copy of a book?"  

Public libraries across the country are adapting with the digital age of reading, including those in Henrico County.   

Henrico County Public Libraries (HCPL) started adding eBooks to its collection in the 2010s, but assistant director Alex Hamby told 8News usage didn't peak until COVID hit. 

“We began to see a lot of our readers be a lot more comfortable with reading eBooks and we did see an increase in usage at that time," Hamby said.

She said it increased readership overall -- but it’s a different model for a library to buy an eBook than if you buy it for personal use. 

“Chances are you’re paying a price that’s pretty close to what the book would be, you know, buying it from the bookstore," Hamby said.

It's often even less, but the library doesn't get the same luxury. 

“We’re going to pay a few times more than what the private user’s gonna pay," Hamby said. 

According to the American Library Association, "...libraries are typically required to pay 3-4 times the consumer price for an eBook or audio book license of a popular title, even if that license later expires." 

That's because, eventually, a physical copy would likely get damaged or needs to be replaced -- the higher cost accounting partially for that. 

Hamby said they try to adapt the budget to the demand yearly by always studying usage. 

As for why you’re on a waitlist for a digital book... 

"Really what the publishers are wanting to do is to treat the digital books like they do a print book where one person having the item out at a time is what they’re, you know, what they’re looking for.” 

There are also different parameters of how long the licensing lasts. Some last for a certain amount of time, others could be for a certain number of check-outs.

At the end of the day though, whether it's a physical copy of a book or an eBook, Hamby said she's just glad people are reading.  

She said the community support and allotted budgeting from the county has made is possible for HCPL to meet the demands of readers.

Hamby also said it isn't too late enter the county's Summer Reading Challenge, which ends August 1.