By victor mickunas

March 2, 2011 5:39 PM | Link to this

Mark, I saw the story about the Austin, Minnesota woman who is enjoying so much success selling her romantic vampire novels as eBooks. Rest assured that someone in publishing is still making money from this young woman’s endeavors. And you can bet that Amazon is one company that is scooping some of the cream there…

By Mark from St Paul

March 2, 2011 3:51 PM | Link to this

The publishers should be very, very afraid. There’s a news story out about a young woman who’s making six figures a month from ebook sales on Amazon. (I’m guessing vampire romance novels.) ePublishing is the future, dead tree publishing is the past.

By truth in advertising

February 28, 2011 1:14 PM | Link to this

I think all librarians should be free. Down with the evil book burning Qaddafi and his ilk. American media corporations are about as corrupt as his family as well. I’d be curious to hear what the authors say however.

By Mark from St Paul

February 28, 2011 11:56 AM | Link to this

A last gasp from a dying industry. Like the music and movie folks, they’ve hit upon the formula of never selling, just “renting” content. We live in a very weird nation where manufacturing jobs are exported, and the only jobs being created are to serve those still affluent enough to eat out or shop. I don’t blame the publishing industry for being scared of the future and resorting to bizarre strategies to keep the money coming in. The future is a very scary place, and it contains fewer jobs than we have workers.

By Really???

February 27, 2011 6:55 PM | Link to this

So does this mean that if I buy an ebook and let 26 of my friends read it I have to buy it again?

By victor mickunas

February 27, 2011 2:41 PM | Link to this

OK. Uh-huh. Right. Sure thing….now wait until the real Downsized sees what you are posting under his name….

By downsized

February 27, 2011 12:52 PM | Link to this

Have you seen what librarians are paid for what they produce? The debt continues to grow at unprecedented rates. Why should they be immune from essential cuts in funding. Most information and books can be purchased in the marketplace. Stop the freeloading and use public/private schools to wisely use their allocated funds more efficiently. Why should taxpayers be burdened by liberal librarians who stock their shelves with ten copies of the latest vampire novels? Much like the National Endowment for the Arts, we end up with trashy Robert Maplethorpe “art” at public expense. Enough. The buildings and land occupied by these outdated edifices can and should be sold by local governments to small and large businesses who create jobs. If you need a computer to look for work, go to the local job service agency.

By victor mickunas

February 27, 2011 10:42 AM | Link to this

I think Downsized was being sarcastic, guys….

By lmj

February 27, 2011 10:30 AM | Link to this

It seems to me the library IS working by capitalist standards. Does this change mean that I, personally, buy an e-book and it turns out to be a favorite and I read it 26 times, I’m going to loose the book, too? What is the difference whether a person buys the book or the library. Tax dollars should be used to repair and modernize our aging infrastructure - roads, water, sewage, etc. The history of libraries in our country is as old as the military and spreading democracy!

By Dave

February 27, 2011 8:07 AM | Link to this

Elitism? These publishers are trying to treat a purchase as a lease. What’s next? “I’m sorry sir, but you’ve worn these pants 10 times. Take them off and give them to the store”? If I BUY something, it’s mine.

By downsized

February 26, 2011 8:56 PM | Link to this

Another example of elitism from publicly funded libraries. Why shouldn’t they have to live by capitalist means like the rest of us? You use it 26 times and that’s not enough? What makes libraries so special? Why should Americans be forced to pay for education in excess of public schools? Tax dollars are needed for the military and spreading democracy. If you want a book, buy one.