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Education Program

Collections, Access, and Technical Services

Continued Conversations: Libraries, Publishers, and the Future of Ebook Licensing

Monday, June 30, 2025
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 113 B C
Many believe we are standing on the edge of a precipice. With library budgets remaining stagnant and the rising cost of ebooks, libraries are struggling to maintain existing collections while meeting the demands of their communities. But what if things were different? In this session, our panel of librarians and publishing experts will discuss available alternative licensing solutions and what libraries can expect to see in the future. We will discuss how we got here and how libraries can advocate not only for fairer pricing, but the possibility for access to previously unavailable materials, and perhaps even ownership. Join us for what we anticipate will be a lively conversation with industry experts.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the end of this session, participants will be able to identify alternative licensing models currently available to libraries.
  • At the end of this session, participants will be able to articulate how alternative licensing models can address budgetary constraints and increase digital equity in collection development
  • At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe future licensing opportunities that will benefit libraries and how they can advocate for them.