Portlanders object to limitations more than in any other city

PORTLAND, Ore. — October 16, 2019 — After Macmillan Publishers shared plans to restrict e-book access to a single copy for libraries during the first eight-weeks of publication beginning in November, people across North America rose up to object to the move. 

In an announcement released this week, the American Library Association shared that more than 100,000 people have signed onto a statement condemning Macmillan’s new policy. That policy limits the way libraries can serve their community and the role they play in supporting learning and literacy. It also disadvantages those with the fewest resources and people who rely on the accessibility features e-books offer. 

Multnomah County Library strongly opposes Macmillan's e-book embargo and has encouraged library patrons to show their support for libraries by signing the petition at https://ebooksforall.org/. 

At last count, nearly 12,000 people who listed their home city as Portland, Oregon objected to the new policy, more than three times the number of people in any other city.

“People in Multnomah County love and support their library,” said Director of Libraries Vailey Oehlke. “Our community has shown its values in favor of the greater good instead of sacrificing our neighbors to a corporate bottom line.”