Simon & Schuster is expanding its eBook library lending program, after testing a successful pilot program with more than twenty library systems nationwide.
Now all of the publisher’s frontlist and backlist titles that are available as eBooks are available for public libraries across the United States to acquire for their collections. Each title acquired by a library for lending can be used for a year. These digital books can be checked out one at a time, in the same way that a print title can be.
Simon & Schuster is also using the service to help sell eBooks. Here is more from the press release: “In order to help support libraries, and for the convenience of patrons who might not want to wait until a popular new title is available, Simon & Schuster’s ebook program includes a ‘Buy It Now’ capability, which gives the patron the option to purchase a copy of Simon & Schuster eBooks through a library’s online portal, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale going to the library.”