Ash HN: Why are “rented” eBooks at the library a thing? I've never understood the concept of "renting" or "borrowing" an eBook from the library. What is it's purpose? What problem does it solve? I get that eBooks may need to expired access after a given amount of time, but I'm not sure why. |
But to their defense, I don't know what the best alternative is.
Ebooks break that model, so the solution is to treat ebooks like physical books.
I feel like I'm missing something obvious.
Patron wants to read a book. Library wants to let them read a book. Publisher wants to get paid. Library doesn't want to buy a whole book for the patron.