Circulating e-books – the emergence of text rental, text leasing

Abstract

It is a challenge for libraries to lend not only printed but alsodigital materials. The circulation of e-books involves difficulties related to both technologyand copyright. Those participating in the process – publishers, librarians and readers – havediffering expectations. The author reviews library solutions and calls attention to other formsof offering e-books, including fee-based or commercial book lending (text rental, text leasing,text distribution). The free offer of large e-book stores and licensing partial access to the textof books on offer can be considered as a form of lending as well.