What's happening
This bill prohibits publishers from delaying the availability of e-books to public libraries in New York State.
Why it matters
Levels the playing field for public libraries. by requiring publishers to make new e-books available to libraries at the same time as consumers and retailers, preventing publishers from using “windowing” tactics that delay library access.
Increases public access to digital content. , ensuring that library users—including those who cannot afford to buy books—get timely access to new digital titles, which is especially important for students, researchers, and underserved communities.
Limits publishers’ leverage in contract negotiations. with state agencies and libraries, potentially reducing the ability of publishers to impose restrictive or discriminatory terms specifically targeting library e-book lending.
Could influence broader e-book market practices. by setting a precedent that may be followed by other states, thereby shaping national conversations around digital content access, copyright, and the role of libraries in the digital age.
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Who cares
Headline styles
No E-Book Delays for Libraries
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to libraries and education technology
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
No E-Book Delays for Libraries
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Rachel May
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9048
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. RYAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting the delay of the availability of e-books to public libraries in the state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 148 to read as follows:
§ 148. Electronic book publisher requirements in certain procurement contracts. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "E-book" or "electronic book" shall mean an electronic version of a printed book that can be read on a computer or any other electronic device.
(b) "Publisher" shall mean an individual or entity whose business is the publishing of books, including electronic books.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a state agency as defined in section one hundred sixty of this chapter, any state and local authority as such terms are defined in section two of the public authorities law, a municipal corporation as defined in section two of the general municipal law, a public library or association library, as such terms are defined in section two hundred fiftythree of the education law, the state university of New York, or city university of New York shall not enter into a contract which provides for the purchase of e-books for the purpose of making such e-books available in certain public libraries throughout the state with a publisher when such publisher engages in discriminatory practices related to the availability of e-books to public libraries. Any such contracts shall not require such agencies, corporations, authorities or libraries to delay the availability of such e-books to public libraries for any specified amount of time. Such contracts shall ensure all e-books be made available to public libraries at the same time, in any desired quantity, as such e-books become available to consumers and retailers.
3. This section shall not apply to other terms of sales or contracts for purposes of sales to libraries and other public institutions.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14591-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.