Northern New Jersey libraries are offering items to borrow beyond usual offerings from metal detectors to cake pans. Ricardo Kaulessar, Staff Writer, @RICARDOKAUL

The Bergen County Cooperative Library System is fighting back against a major publisher's embargo on its new e-book titles via a boycott.

BCCLS has put in apolicy of no longer purchasinge-book editions of new Macmillan or Macmillan imprint titles. The policy went into effect Nov. 20.

That means saying no to some of the system's most popular authors, including novelistLiane Moriarty, romance writerNora Roberts and mystery writers Lisa Scottoline and Louise Penny.

The move isin response toMacmillan Publishers' new policy of limiting public libraries to purchasing a single copy of new e-books for the first eight weeks of publication, which went into effect on Nov. 1. It has upset librarians in North Jersey and across the country.

The Bergenfield Public Library is one of 77 libraries in the BCCLS system whose patrons not only borrow physical books, but also e-books.(Photo: Ricardo Kaulessar/NorthJersey.com)

The boycott is not confined to North Jersey. Many library systems around the country, including in Des Moines, Sacramento, Nashville and Greenwich,Connecticut, have joined in.

BCCLS' boycott applies to acquisitions for itscentral collection, said BCCLS Executive Director Dave Hanson. That collectionhas 65,647 items and produces around 660,000 circulations a year. Macmillanrepresents about 12% of high-interest circulation for the consortium, Hanson said.

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He said the 77 member libraries in the consortium have yet to decide whether to purchase Macmillan e-books for their individuallibraries. He said they plan to vote on that at the BCCLS System Council meeting on Dec. 19.

But he said he is positive that the libraries will join in this boycott, based on discussions with library directors. It's a matter of principle.

"I just think it'sa reflective reaction from public libraries... we're very worried about the ability for public libraries to get access to materials to provide to patrons in a landscape that seems to beconstantly changing," Hanson said. "Publishers seem to not place the interests of the library patron very high."

E-books are borrowed like traditional books, in that one copy can be used byone user at a time. That means libraries purchase multiple copies of high-demand books so they are available to more patrons.

Macmillan representatives could not be reached for comment.

RicardoKaulessaris a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community,please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:kaulessar@northjersey.comTwitter:@ricardokaul

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BCCLS fires back in war over e-books by boycotting publisher - NorthJersey.com