My friend pointed it out first, and then I started noticing too. Why would books that multiple libraries definitely, 100% had digital access to a couple of months/weeks/days ago disappear?
Amazon is invoking exclusive rights to them.*
Ebooks that the public library once had digital copies of are now only available through Amazon. Audible boasts on their covers about Audible-exclusive audiobooks that did not used to be Audible-exclusive. Entire series and collections are disappearing overnight.
Keep your eyes on the privatization of media and your libraries.
*earlier versions said "getting"; Amazon has likely always had these rights, but in the face of boycotts they're tightening the leash, so to say [source 2] [source 3] [source 4] [source 5] (sources indicate that Amazon is refusing to sell to libraries)
**librarians in the notes have also noted that, in addition to Amazon often refusing to sell to libraries/increasing their number of exclusive/privatized titles, libraries have to repurchase eBooks/audiobooks every eight uses (another user said $50-$100 for every 26 check-outs or for a whole year), so cuts to library funding have reduced their access to media as well
As a former librarian I'm actually required to remind you that many libraries that subscribe to Libby are opted into a program that lets you subscribe and access magazines for free with no wait
And that this is actually a really fun, low cost way to not only access news and larger cultural magazines, but also to get free patterns for many different crafts that you can screenshot if need be and that lower the financial barriers to entry for trying new things
From my experience working in both academic and public libraries, many libraries are use it or lose it funding-- I have to say this because a lot of patrons feel guilty for how much they use the library and how often they're using it funny enough, but the worst thing you can do for libraries is not try out new features and not use what's already given to you as much as possible.
The numbers that come as a result of your patronage are how most libraries justify their continued existence in times of financial hardship, which sucks but, go check out some magazines on Libby!
Are you in the USA? Do you have the Libby library app?
Meet Libby. Discover and enjoy ebooks and audiobooks from your local library.
If not, download it to your phone, and under "Add library card" select the button to search for a library and start typing in "queer"...
Sign up with an email, no actual address required, and you are good to go 🏳️🌈
[ID: A screenshot of the Queer Liberation Library Libby main page, showing 6 titles, one of which is an audio book. The titles displayed are the Trans Teen Survival Guide; Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the next); We Will Be Shelter: Poems for Survival; Tomboy Survival Guide; A Burst of Light and Other Essays; and Saving Our Own Lives: A Liberatory Practice of Harm Reduction. End ID]
(thank you @teddypoi-qd for the ID!]
EDIT: Here is the Queer Liberation Library's donation page!
Oh hey, all you Library-Loving Libby users out there. A piece of advice for you. Go to your search engine of choice and type in “[your local library] reciprocal agreements”.
Might pull up nothing, but chances are there are somewhere between two and seven other Library systems in your state that you can get a card at perfectly legitimately simply by applying for one with your current address and proof of having an active card at your local library. You can then log into Libby with these and use them even if you never manage to go to a physical building of that library. (Though you should take advantage of the physical library too if you can) Some of them might have significantly larger or at least different ebook/audiobook collections for you.
I love you PBS I love you NPR I love you public libraries I love you wikipedia I love you project gutenberg I love you librivox I love you libby I love you hoopla I love you openlibrary I love you internet archive I love you resources that make information free and accessible to the public
hey hi hello so as the US goes through this ~ hostile government takeover ~ Trump signed an executive order last week to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). On Thursday (3/20) DOGE attempted to quietly raid IMLS but staff there posted to reddit and the unwanted media attention led them to put a pause on the takeover, for now. Trump replaced the director of IMLS with Keith Sonderling, who very openly stated that his goals are to "promote patriotism" and "American exceptionalism". We worry grants will be more dependent on whether your institution supports DEI [or anyone who isn't a white hetero cis man].
A lot of libraries depend on IMLS grants! If they go away we will lose librarians and libraries may close, or at least significantly decrease their services. This will affect funding for technology classes, free resources for the blind, summer reading, databases, free internet access assistance, and interlibrary loans among other things. As the administration also targets social security, immigration, and other safety nets, libraries are attempting to fill the gap for the public, and things will get much harder without reliable funding.
This is also IN ADDITION to the administration calling book bans "fake" and some states attempting to pass laws to criminalize librarians, with fears in the library world that they will also try to make it a federal crime to promote or otherwise provide access to "inappropriate materials" which have included books that promote "gender ideology" or basically any character that isn't a white hetero cis man. That is one of the cornerstones of Project 2025. This IMLS takeover will only make things worse, and make it harder for people to access information.
Personally, we have been told by our director to be very careful and not talk about this while at work because of fears of retaliation, we have had several calls from the public to remove books with gay characters (we didn't), and as an adult services librarian, I am already seeing an impact on databases I help the public use. Medline Plus, the only free and easy-to-use medical encyclopedia for the public I have been able to find, is a US government website and already has warnings above certain pages about the "harms of gender ideology". This warning can be seen above pages on health disparities and abortion.
If you're so inclined and live in the US, the ALA put together a portal that makes it easy to email your reps with a script. You can find the portal here. I would also recommend investing in your local library, post on social media what services you use, sign up for a library card and see how many resources you can access for free. Many state library associations collect user stories of libraries so they can show their stakeholders they matter. Like my library, it is likely that staff have been warned not to discuss this at work because of fears of retaliation, so try not to talk to librarians about this at work.
General advocacy page:
Join us and Show Up #ForOurLibraries.
Article from NPR about the takeover:
Keith E. Sonderling is the new acting head of The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the main source of federal funding for libraries
What happens if IMLS goes away:
On Friday night, March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order that called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library
A report on how much museums give back to the US economy:
Museums play an essential role in cultural and social life across the US. They tell our stories, preserve our heritage, interpret the past,
