In a transformative development for American libraries, the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Independent Publishers Group (IPG) have announced a groundbreaking agreement that grants libraries permanent ownership rights over tens of thousands of digital titles. This partnership is set to revolutionize how libraries provide access to ebooks and audiobooks, benefiting readers, authors, and libraries alike.
For years, libraries have been constrained by licensing agreements that allowed them only to rent digital content, limiting their ability to build lasting collections. This new collaboration with IPG changes the paradigm, allowing libraries to purchase and own digital titles outright, ensuring that these works remain accessible to readers for generations.
The agreement includes participation from dozens of renowned independent publishers, such as Austin Macauley, Arcadia Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, Dover Publications, and JMS Books. These publishers are contributing a diverse range of titles, from contemporary award-winning works to timeless classics.
This initiative will empower libraries to fulfill their mission of providing broad access to literature, including emerging authors and lesser-known works, without the pressure to focus solely on bestsellers. Libraries can now curate collections that reflect a wider range of voices and stories, enriching the literary landscape for all readers.
Books will be available for purchase through the Palace Marketplace, an innovative non-profit ebook and audiobook platform developed by The Palace Project. This platform is designed with libraries in mind, providing them with the tools and resources needed to offer patrons access to a vast array of digital content.
For more information on this groundbreaking initiative, visit DPLA's ebook platform.
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