Review how ebooks could be made cheaper for libraries

93
signatures
closedDepartment for Business and TradeOpened 23 January 2026Closed 23 July 2026

Background

Review the Public Lending Right Act 1979, to take into account ebooks and how to make them cheaper for libraries.

Additional details

People are increasingly unable to access physical libraries due to schedules. Increasing availability of ebooks could increase reading. We want the Government to investigate policies to increase the availability of ebooks in libraries by reducing financial burdens and encouraging publishers to increase the overall selection available. The cost to libraries of buying ebooks is significantly higher than print, and the dominance of a "one copy, one user" licensing model often results in long waiting lists. Despite increasing demand, the overall selection of ebooks offered by publishers to libraries remains relatively small.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 753915.