New technology making possible the publication of electronic books is now being implemented, and that could provide unlimited access to human knowledge. Librarians across the nation are currently taking on licensing policies severely limiting such access through a boycott of HarperCollins Publishers.
Librarians called for the boycott after the publisher insisted on limiting the number of times an e-book can be loaned to library patrons before the license the library purchases for the rights to loan out the e-books expires. A HarperCollins e-book contains computer code that causes it to self-destruct after 26 loans to library patrons. A website (www.boycottharpercollins.com) has been set up by librarians across the United States to raise awareness and spur activism against the capitalist publishing giant.
Kate Sheehan, an information specialist with Bibliomation, a Connection consortium of public and school libraries, told abc.go.com that e-book lending “is not a sustainable model” for book publishing companies. If HarperCollins’ policies become universal among the book publishing companies, “it’s going to be devastating for libraries,” according to Sheenan.
Capitalism at one time was progressive, coming out of the feudal ages, though its “birth pangs” included using profits from the slave trade and slave labor itself to fuel capital accumulation and expansion of its system. The struggle over e-book lending restrictions being imposed on public libraries by HarperCollins demonstrates the dying out of any progressive characteristics capitalism once possessed.
Electronic book publishing eliminates the need for paper and other materials used to produce books. Instead, digital and electronic media are used, which cost very little. While physical components of e-book readers such as Kindles will eventually wear out, the books themselves take digital form and are not subject to the wear and tear of paper. In fact, they will never wear out and can be reproduced in unlimited quantities at virtually no cost.
Sheehan noted that libraries can use books for many years, and can sell books after a period of time to raise funds. Electronic books whose license to a library district expires after 26 check-outs have no extended value to libraries or their patrons.
The boycott of HarperCollins by librarians is an example of how the greed of capitalists is being exposed to more and more people. A socialist, egalitarian society shares with all according to their needs. Only under socialism will the potential for unlimited access to human knowledge via e-books be fully realized.
