This recent article from The Oklahoman lays out clearly what many library patrons may not understand: that for every e-book you want to borrow, there are a lot of restrictions placed on libraries in order to get it to you.

"There's a lot of discrepancy in the cost of those materials depending on who you are," said Pioneer Library System Executive Director and Urban Libraries Council member Lisa Wells. "If you, as the consumer, are buying that product, you're actually buying the product. You're not leasing it. You can let as many friends read it on your devices as you want and never have to purchase it again. That's just not the situation for public libraries."

Read the article.