"On May 27, five public library organizations from the U.S. and Canada released a statement, addressing the Big Five publishers and digital platform providers, in response to e-book pricing models. The Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, Canadian Urban Libraries Council, Public Library Association, and Urban Libraries Council all signed on to the letter.

"The organizations urge publishers to negotiate usage-based e-book lending models as well as perpetual-use options. 'Our organizations, representing the vast majority of public libraries in the U.S. and Canada, call on the Big Five publishers, as well as platform providers, to come to the table to work with libraries to identify and implement sustainable solutions, no matter the format,' the signatories state. According to a ULC spokesperson, the letter focuses on the Big Five because 'many independent and small publishers have more flexible ebook terms, up to and including ownership in some cases.'"

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