Connecticut Governor Signs Bill Creating State-Wide Electronic Book Delivery System

Connecticut Governor Daniel Malloy signed the bill into law yesterday.
From the Announcement:

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 [was signed into law on June 3, 2014].
The bill was passed in response to legislation Governor Malloy signed last year that commissioned the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to study how Connecticut’s public libraries could gain fairer access to e-books.
“As the role of libraries changes, it’s critical that we continue to provide invaluable resources that support the educational advancement of Connecticut citizens in a digital age,” said Governor Malloy. “We are leading the nation with the passage of common sense legislation that will increase educational opportunities for library patrons.”
The DCP study, 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.”
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“The 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,” said Connecticut Association President Richard Conroy. “Connecticut is a national leader on this issue, and we applaud the Governor for recognizing the importance of providing e-books to all of our State’s 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.”

We’ve been tracking this story since the very early days on infoDOCKET. Here’s a look back at some of our posts that include links to a number of reports and documents.

• History of HB5477

• Connecticut House of Representatives Passes Bill to Create Statewide Ebook Platform (April 18, 2014)

• Transcript of General Law Committee Hearing about HB5477 (March 11, 2014)

• Ebooks in Libraries: Slides From the Connecticut State Library’s Ebook Symposium (March 6, 2014)

• Connecticut’s Dept. of Consumer Protections Releases Report on Availability of Ebooks in Public Libraries (February 14, 2014)

• Connecticut: Governor Signs eBook-Public Library Availability Study Legislation Into Law (May 30, 2013)

Filed under: Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries, Reports