High demand for e-books in libraries prompts push for new state laws against publishers

Many libraries have been struggling to deal with the rising costs of e-books and audiobooks as the demand at local libraries has seen an uptick in recent years.

Connecticut’s West Haven Public Library is one of many grappling with the high cost and demand for e-books. When a new book is released, a hardcover copy only costs the library $18, while a digital copy costs $55 to lease, and this price is set and cannot be negotiated with publishers.