The book industry needs to get its act together. Pitched battles between publishers and librarians are not going to help anyone survive the digital revolution. A case in point is the “Boycott HarperCollins” petition posted on the social activism website Change.org.

The email I got yesterday introduces librarian Andy Woodworth, who is using Change.org to help “lead the charge in a fight against NewsCorp":

“See, more and more libraries are beginning to buy e-books… But publishing giant HarperCollins (owned by NewsCorp) is trying to force libraries to only buy e-books that literally self-destruct after the 26th reader in an attempt to maximize profits."

Change.org is hoping for 100,000 signatures. By 9 a.m. this morning, over 50,000 had signed.

Linda Leith

.ll.