E-lending Won’t Put a Big Dent in Book Sales

With growth in ebook sales slowing, we seem to be reaching a point where digital and printed books can live in harmony. Will the same ever be said for publishers, booksellers and librarians? Not if the response to the latest e-lending pilot is anything to go by.

Two years ago, publisher William Sieghart's review into remote e-lending said that public libraries should be able to lend ebooks remotely. It also recommended that "frictions" (lending limits) be put in place to protect publishers and booksellers.