Publications and Research
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2015
Abstract
This piece outlines a few brief arguments against the inclusion of ebooks with DRM restrictions in libraries. These arguments center upon what the presence of these ebooks signifies to patrons about libraries today, and how librarians should avoid holding books with DRM within their collections. Ebooks with DRM require that users give up personal data in order to read. In addition, restricted ebooks are frustrating to users and makes them dislike the libraries that offer them. Finally, DRM surveillance is at odds with librarians’ professional commitments to protecting patron privacy.
Comments
This work was originally published in Urban Library Journal.
Click through to see the slides from the original talk presented at the 2015 LACUNY Institute