The Panorama Project is pleased that Macmillan has decided to end its controversial restrictions on readers’ access to their ebooks via local public libraries, recognizing that “there are times in life when differences should be put aside.”

With current events putting unprecedented pressure on the entire publishing ecosystem, it is critically important for readers to have access to the books they need to help them get through this global crisis—whether for information or escape. Public libraries have been recognized as essential institutions across the country, and many are ramping up their digital collections in response to increased demand, ensuring the ability to continue serving their communities’ needs as social distancing measures limit access to physical buildings and print collections.

While Macmillan has reset the clock on their library ebook lending terms, the underlying question that led them and other major publishers to make ebooks more difficult and expensive to lend remains: What impact does library lending actually have on discovery and consumer sales?

The Panorama Project is committed to driving fact-based, data-informed conversations about libraries’ impact on discovery and sales. We believe more channels for discovery results in more readers. And more readers means a diversified consumer marketplace in which more books are sold.

We believe a collaborative, good-faith, transparent effort to effectively measure that impact is the best path moving forward, and we hope that more industry stakeholders will join us in identifying opportunities to demystify the role of public libraries in the book business—print and digital, front and backlist.