The demand for electronic books in public libraries has rocketed and is expected to continue rising, but their popularity is giving librarians a headache.
Obtaining access to ebooks from publishers is difficult, said one of B.C.'s most experienced public librarians.
Paul Whitney is a member of a committee working with Canadian publishers to increase the titles that public libraries can buy to loan to the public.
"The good news is people are coming to public libraries to borrow ebooks. The bad news is we're not able to meet the demand at present due to external constraints from publishers," Whitney said.
Whitney, the recently retired head of the Vancouver Public Library, is the keynote speaker at the B.C. Library Association conference this weekend at the Victoria Conference Centre. It is the association's 100th anniversary.
While about 500 librarians and library board trustees will celebrate the association's history, they are also looking to what the future holds for libraries. And much of it is based on technology.
"Libraries are always in a state of change as society changes, but obviously that rate of change is now escalating dramatically," Whitney said.
Ebooks are a key example. Public demand for books to download to their electronic readers is high, taking publishers by surprise, Whitney said.
The publishers have been slow to make Canadian content available for libraries, concerned about how the publishing house and the author can be properly compensated for an ebook that a library can loan out again and again. It is a problem with several large U.S. publishers as well.
The publishers and library representatives are trying to find a solution, hopefully this year, Whitney said. "The ball is still up in the air and we don't know where it will come down."
Whitney was a librarian for 36 years and saw dramatic changes in the way libraries serve the public. Some thought the Internet would prove the death of libraries — why take out a book if you can go online? But libraries welcomed the web, viewing it as another way to provide content and access for patrons.
"We are one of the institutions which has been the most successful at incorporating new technology into brick-and-mortar service," Whitney said.
"The Internet is an integral part of what we do and, at the same time, the actual library buildings are busier than ever."
Another key concern for publishers and libraries is how the generation of readers raised with technology will want to access books. Will it all be digital or will print survive?
A group of teenagers from Victoria will address delegates in a conference workshop, giving librarians a chance to find out what they want.
The teenagers did not think printed books would become obsolete.
"There will always be people who want to read an actual book," said Rebekah Prette, 18.
Riley van der Linden, 14, added: "I like physically holding the book."
The teenagers see the library as a place to gather and study with friends, to use computers, to take out DVDs, CDs and video games as well as books.
They would like to see opening hours expanded so they can get to the library before school — most do not open until 10 a.m — as well as a place to snack in the library so they can stay longer.
The variety of workshops at the conference gives a snapshot into a librarian's day.
Topics range from serving users who have mental illness to how to improve social media sites to the top 10 questions in family law for public librarians.
Sybil Harrison, the conference chairwoman, said librarians are, despite the stereotype, known for enjoying a good time. "But we don't break anything and we follow the rules."
kwestad@timescolonist.com
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