[CASL-L] GOV. MALLOY SIGNS BILL CREATING STATE-WIDE ELECTRONIC BOOK DELIVERY SYSTEM

[Crowley, John]

Great news, Bill.  Will this have any direct impact on school libraries?
John Crowley

Director, Learning Resources & Information Technology
Joel Barlow High School
100 Black Rock Turnpike
Redding, CT  06896
203-938-2508 x1540
fax 203-938-9851



On 6/3/14, 7:28 PM, "Sullivan, William F" <William.F.Sullivan at ct.gov>
wrote:

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>GOV. MALLOY SIGNS BILL CREATING STATE-WIDE ELECTRONIC BOOK DELIVERY SYSTEM
>Legislation Authorizes State Library to Create E-Book Platform
>
>
>
>(HARTFORD, CT) ­ Governor Dannel P. Malloy today signed P.A.
>14-82<http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillTyp
>e=Bill&bill_num=HB05477&which_year=2014>, An Act Concerning a State-wide
>Platform for the Distribution of Electronic Books, authorizing the State
>Library to create and maintain a state platform for the distribution of
>electronic books (e-books) to public library patrons. The bill was passed
>in response to 
>legislation<http://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/act/sa/2013SA-00010-R00HB-05614-SA.
>htm> Governor Malloy signed last year that commissioned the Department of
>Consumer Protection (DCP) to study how Connecticut¹s public libraries
>could gain fairer access to e-books.
>
>
>
>³As the role of libraries changes, it¹s critical that we continue to
>provide invaluable resources that support the educational advancement of
>Connecticut citizens in a digital age,² said Governor Malloy. ³We are
>leading the nation with the passage of common sense legislation that will
>increase educational opportunities for library patrons.²
>
>
>
>The 
>DCP<http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/publications/e-book_study_final_30ja
>n2014.pdf> 
>study<http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/publications/e-book_study_final_30
>jan2014.pdf>, found that, while over 90 percent of state libraries were
>offering at least some e-books to their patrons, the most popular titles
>were often unavailable or only available at prices well above the
>consumer price. To increase the availability of e-books and other
>e-content at libraries, the study recommended, among other things, the
>creation of a state-wide e-book distribution platform.
>
>
>
>"I want to thank the Governor for supporting the creation of the first
>statewide e-book purchasing program in the nation," said Rep. Brian Sear
>(D-Canterbury). "E-books are the technological wave of the future, and
>this platform will create easy and consistent access and pricing of
>e-books to libraries throughout Connecticut, and result in significant
>cost savings."
>
>
>
>³With this new law, the State of Connecticut will ensure our local
>libraries have a broad selection of e-books,² said Sen. Paul Doyle
>(D-Wethersfield), Co-Chairman of the General Law Committee. ³Prior to
>this legislation, it was unclear if municipal libraries would be able to
>continue to provide their citizens with e-book selections. I want to
>thank Governor Malloy and all those who collaborated on this issue for
>their support.²
>
>
>
>³The e-book legislation was one of the most popular bi-partisan bills of
>the session,² said Rep. David Baram (D-Bloomfield), Co-Chairman of the
>General Law Committee. ³It represents a comprehensive state strategy to
>purchase e-books for our public libraries so that patrons throughout the
>state can enjoy them without the significant cost of purchase.  By
>creating a state purchasing platform, we can flex our economic muscle to
>acquire e-books, overcoming the restrictive marketing taking place within
>the industry aimed at promoting private sales for increased profits. This
>will lower public library costs and provide greater e-book access to
>Connecticut residents.  It was a personal pleasure to advocate this bill
>as part of our General Law Committee agenda."
>
>
>
>Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton), Ranking Member of the General Law
>Committee, stated, ³I am excited to see our libraries expand and
>modernize their offerings to encourage reading.  Literacy is a key to
>learning, and reading in any format is important for people of all ages.²
>
>
>"The use of e-books has exploded in recent years, so this legislation
>will help libraries offer more resources to the public," said Rep. Dan
>Carter (R-Bethel), Ranking Member of the General Law Committee. "Our
>libraries remain an important part of our community, as well as
>destinations for family-friendly education and recreation. This is a step
>in the right direction as we seek to keep libraries outfitted with
>relevant and useful resources, and encourage reading among people of all
>ages and backgrounds."
>
>
>
>State Librarian Kendall Wiggin said, ³With the recent development of a
>statewide e-book platform, Connecticut will continue to lead in library
>resource sharing. It is important that our citizens have the same level
>of access to e-books as they have to print books and this legislation
>will allow the State Library to make that happen.²
>
>
>
>³The Connecticut Library Association is extremely pleased that Governor
>Malloy has signed the legislation that will enable the Connecticut State
>Library to create a statewide e-book delivery system,² said Connecticut
>Association President Richard Conroy. ³Connecticut is a national leader
>on this issue, and we applaud the Governor for recognizing the importance
>of providing e-books to all of our State¹s residents in a fair and
>equitable way.  As the market evolves, we anticipate that this important
>new service will have a positive influence on the relationship between
>publishers and libraries with regard to e-books.²
>
>
>
>Studies show that e-books are now the preferred book format for many
>readers. Between 2002 and 2012, e-book share of trade publishing revenue
>increased from 0.05 percent to roughly 23 percent. In 2012, nearly 80
>percent of libraries reported that they experienced a dramatic increase
>in the demand for e-books during the previous year.
>
>###
>
>For Immediate Release: June 3, 2014
>Contact: Samaia M. Hernandez
>Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy
>Samaia.Hernandez at ct.gov<mailto:Samaia.Hernandez at ct.gov><mailto:Samaia.Hern
>andez at ct.gov>
>860-524-7314 (office)
>860-770-8298 (cell)
>
>www.ct.gov/governor<http://www.ct.gov/governor>
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