What to Know
Reading is a great hobby, but if you find yourself devouring books nonstop, you’ve probably already realized that it can easily become a very expensive one. Fortunately, the library exists, and apps like Libby are extra helpful when it comes to reserving eBooks that may not be available at your local branch, but may be in a different state that allows non-residents to sign up for library cards. But apparently, not everyone is a fan of how accessible libraries are becoming… including, strangely enough, a romance author who depends on readers to succeed.
The controversy was sparked by an Instagram post sharing a Libby app “hack.”
One Bookstagramer shared a little known method of getting access to as many digital books as possible by using the Libby app, which allows patrons to virtually borrow from different libraries for free. As she pointed out in her post, you aren’t limited to your local library when it comes to Libby; you’re also able to borrow from other libraries in the US by using Reciprocard, a website that helps people find what other libraries they may be able to use based on what library system they already belong to.
Most people were very thankful for the information… except for romance author Heidi McCahan, who shared a comment on the post that most definitely did not earn her any new readers.
“While I’m thrilled for you that you’ve found a way to consume so much content at little or no cost, please remember that authors are generally not paid per borrow,” she wrote. “Please consider how your excessive use of generous lending policies impact the people creating the content you enjoy consuming.”
The backlash this woman is getting is pretty intense.
Author Heidi McCahan takes a bizarre stance, in a now deleted insta comment, against libraries
by u/mlg1981 in Fauxmoi
Basically, it sounds like Heidi wants readers to buy books instead of borrowing them to increase her royalties. It makes sense; writing is a job, like any other, and authors should be paid for what they create. But to encourage people against using libraries to read more than they could afford if they had to pay full price at Barnes and Noble every time they picked up a new book is not the move.
“Are you discouraging people from using the library? The library purchases the books they lend. They may buy additional copies/licenses for books that have long waits,” one person replied.
Another commenter added, “This is a good way to get me to never read your books.”
She’s doubling down on her hot take, though.
In an Instagram post that the author made on her own account, she attempted to clear up what she was trying to say… but without actually taking back her anti-library sentiment.
“Digital borrowing is not free. Readers are not entitled to unlimited access to content,” she wrote in her caption. “Authors, narrators and publishing industry professionals deserve to be compensated fairly. When people borrow books from libraries where they don’t live or don’t pay taxes to finance those library systems, the patrons at the local level may be negatively impacted (budgeting decisions, community programming, longer waits to borrow, etc.).”
She turned the comments off on her post, so there’s no word on whether or not people see her point. But from the buzz so far (including on BookTok), it’s not looking good for this author at all.
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