Trade book publisher Penguin sets to thaw out relations with libraries, but the move on e-book sales is seen as cold comfort by some.
“The program is still very restrictive,” explains Andrew Alabanese, Publishers Weekly features editor. “For one, it windows new books for six months. Then, libraries only get a single-year license. Think about that: HarperCollins by comparison, allows libraries to circulate an e-book 26 times, no matter how many years it takes. That’s not a great deal for libraries, and frankly creates a lot of work for them in managing collections.”
In the week’s review of reviews, Sam Slaton, PW Reviews Editor, head to the stars with UC Santa Barbara historian W. Patrick McCray. In The Visioneers: How A Group of Elite Scientists Pursued Space Colonies, Nanotechnologies, and A Limitless Future, McCray profiles characters who changed science and technology in the second half of the 20th century. “At the center of this story is physicist Gerard O’Neill,” Slaton tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “His optimistic dream of regular humans living and working in space were a vivid antidote to the Vietnam War, growing stockpiles of nuclear weapons, and environmental concerns. It’s non-fiction for sci-fi fans.”
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Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.