Legislative Update -- March 19, 2020
March 19, 2020
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Macmillan Abandons Library Ebook Embargo
On Tuesday, March 17, John Sargent, CEO of Macmillan Publishers, announced that effective Friday, March 20, they will return to the library ebook pricing model that was in effect on October 31, 2019. Macmillan will also be lowering the prices of some ebooks on a short term basis to help expand libraries collections in the current crisis.
Publishers Weekly reports that a Macmillan spokesperson confirmed that the removal of the embargo covers all titles, including new Tor titles. “This is extraordinarily welcome news in an unprecedented time," said ALA Senior Director for Public Policy & Government Relations Alan Inouye. "Equitable access to digital content is more important than ever as libraries continue to serve their communities amid rapidly changing circumstances.
Macmillan’s return to its original lending terms signals a new starting point for all publishers to consider how they can work with libraries to ensure—and expand—access for all readers. ALA looks forward to working with publishers to make that happen.”
State legislative activity is focused on coping with COVID-19:
You may have seen in this morning's ILA COVID-19 Daily Update that there is additional guidance from the Illinois Attorney General about FOIA and OMA; along with a summary of core points from Executive Order 2020-07 and the AG's guidance prepared by the Law Offices of Dalal M. Jarad, Schaumburg and a link to the Municipal Minute blog post on this topic authored by Ancel, Glink.
The Illinois General Assembly's upcoming session has been cancelled, and the new deadline (formerly 3/27/2020) for bills to be referred to substantive committees is 4/3/2020, very close up to the ILA Public Policy Committee's meeting on 4/6/2020.
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