Many libraries have been struggling to deal with the rising costs of e-books and audiobooks as the demand at local libraries has seen an uptick in recent years.
Connecticut’s West Haven Public Library is one of many grappling with the high cost and demand for e-books. When a new book is released, a hardcover copy only costs the library $18, while a digital copy costs $55 to lease, and this price is set and cannot be negotiated with publishers.
The concern for many libraries is that the digital copies cost much more than what consumers pay for and usually expire after one to two years — or after 26 checkouts. Libraries then have to renew the leased material and allocate the costs into their budget.
According to the Associated Press, the West Haven Library has leased
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