Public libraries generally pay a higher price and must comply with more restrictive terms than someone buying the same eBook or eAudiobook for their personal use. Publishers set the pricing and licensing terms for libraries; see examples below:
| Title | Format | Consumer Cost | Library Cost | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly by Stephen King | eAudio | $22.49 | $99.99 | 24 months access; one user at a time |
| Murder Island by James Patterson | eBook | $19.99 | $75.00 | 24 months access; one user at a time |
| Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn | eAudio | $26.24 | $129.99 | 24 months access; one user at a time |
| Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe by David Maraniss | eAudio | $26.24 | $129.99 | 24 months access; one user at a time |
Terms set by publishers restrict the library’s ability to buy the quantity we need for our community, which drives up wait times. This also makes it nearly impossible to keep a full backlist collection for our patrons to enjoy as needed. To learn more, click here. You can also visit the Urban Library Council website for more coverage of this issue.
What’s the good news? We have access to hundreds of thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks through our three main apps: Libby, hoopla, and the Palace Project App.
Explore all eBook & eAudiobook resources here.
To submit a suggestion for purchase you can use the Libby app “Notify me” feature, or if the book is not in the Libby app, sign in to the Sonoma County Library catalog and submit your title request. Librarians review the requested titles when making purchase decisions.