Sara Zarr's Blog - Posts Tagged "libraries"
Why so many unfinished in your Now Reading, Sara?!
My book finishing stats this year are terrible! This is sort of typical for me, but things aren't usually quite this bad. The thing is: I get most of my reading from the library (and most of that via the Libby app for ebooks and audiobooks), and books keep getting snatched away from me when I don't finish by the due date.
So I put those back on hold to finish later when my turn comes up again, then start the cycle over with different books. Which is why it can take me awhile to get those over to my Read list!
I was showing my mom how to use Libby the other day, and she said, "Why are there limited copies available? They're EBOOKS! Everyone can read them at once!"
Great question, Mom!
The reason you might end up on hold lists and such for ebooks, or have to return them before they're done, is that library systems buy a certain number of licenses from the publishers, and they are basically loaning those licenses to library patrons for a set amount of time (often around 21 days). Then they have to be returned for the next person, or renewed if there isn't a hold list.
This way, authors still get some compensation for all those books that readers get to enjoy for free! It's actually a pretty good system, and I never want readers to apologize to me for "only" getting my books from the library. I love libraries and read tons of library books. I certainly can't afford to buy all the books I'd like to read, and don't expect anyone else to, either.
So never feel bad for defaulting to library books. Authors still get compensated, and having our books in active library circulation means they'll be around longer. Yay!
So I put those back on hold to finish later when my turn comes up again, then start the cycle over with different books. Which is why it can take me awhile to get those over to my Read list!
I was showing my mom how to use Libby the other day, and she said, "Why are there limited copies available? They're EBOOKS! Everyone can read them at once!"
Great question, Mom!
The reason you might end up on hold lists and such for ebooks, or have to return them before they're done, is that library systems buy a certain number of licenses from the publishers, and they are basically loaning those licenses to library patrons for a set amount of time (often around 21 days). Then they have to be returned for the next person, or renewed if there isn't a hold list.
This way, authors still get some compensation for all those books that readers get to enjoy for free! It's actually a pretty good system, and I never want readers to apologize to me for "only" getting my books from the library. I love libraries and read tons of library books. I certainly can't afford to buy all the books I'd like to read, and don't expect anyone else to, either.
So never feel bad for defaulting to library books. Authors still get compensated, and having our books in active library circulation means they'll be around longer. Yay!
