Libraries with e-book collections finally have a product that doesn’t take up shelf space, can’t suffer wear and tear, and can’t be lost. E-books seem to be a perfect fit with libraries, but now some publishers disagree, according to Slashgear.com. HarperCollins recently changed their e-book agreement with libraries, requiring that e-books can only be checked out twenty-six times before expiring. That means if a coveted book is checked out every two weeks it will no longer be available after one year of use, forcing libraries to purchase it again.

On Publishers Weekly it was reported that the American Library Association released a statement in response to the decision by HarperCollins. “This new limitation means that fewer people will have access to an increasingly important format for delivering information,” said Roberta Stevens, president of the ALA. “At a time when libraries are struggling to remain open and staffed, this is of grave concern.”

While some libraries and library consortiums have decided to boycott HarperCollins, the ALA’s stance makes an attempt to have publishers reconsider this kind of policy. “The transition to the e-book format should not result in less availability,” she added. “We encourage publishers to look to libraries as a vehicle to reach and grow diverse audiences.”