I know that I am more fortunate than most. I have a great job that allows me to purchase a larger number of books than most can afford. Even with that great job I can’t afford to purchase every book I’d like and I rely on my local library to provide those books for me to borrow.

Since the advent of ebooks I’ve grown my personal virtual library on my kindle as well as still purchase hard copies of books, but again, I can’t afford to purchase every single book I’d like and having a library card has made it so easy to check out books using my Overdrive or Cloud Library APP’s. E-readers make it so easy for anyone to pursue their love of reading. Especially if they have visual or physical disabilities. It’s come to my attention that one publisher is trying to make a change to how long and how many ebooks libraries will be allowed to purchase.

“Macmillan Publishers has announced that beginning November 1, 2019, libraries will be able to purchase only one copy of each new eBook title for the first eight weeks after a book’s release.

That means readers who wish to read a new release will be queued into long waitlists, forcing them to decide whether to buy the book or wait months — or even years — to read it.

By instituting this embargo, publishers are limiting libraries’ ability to provide unrestricted access to information for all. Macmillan doesn’t recognize the enormous value that libraries bring to promoting reading, authors and new titles in communities nationwide.“

So far, MacMillan is the only publisher to try this embargo. What happens if more publisher decide to pursue profit over readers?

If you agree with me that this is a travesty, not only for me and you but for all disabled readers who use e-readers because they can make the font larger at the touch of a finger, hold a lightweight reader instead of a huge volume, or for those book lovers who would like to consume their love of reading in this format for any reason, join me in signing this petition! The ALA American Library Association has over 78,000 signatures already but needs so many more!

Yes, book bloggers have a passion for reading, but we also have a passion for speaking out. This is a subject that needs to be heard. Join your voice to mine and thousands of others!

Sign this petition by clicking the link!