Dear O'Abby: How do I get paid for e-books in libraries

 Dear O'Abby,

My local library has recently started lending copies of my e-book (which is cool, I think), but I was wondering about how I get paid for that. Does the library just buy the file and then lend it to people forever?  Or do I get a small amount each time someone borrows the book?

Kind regards,

Librarian

Dear Librarian,

Ebooks have been really popular with libraries, especially since the pandemic.  They are typically cheaper that physical books and obviously don't take up shelf-space, get lost or stolen or get damaged when readers drop them in the bath (something I am all too guilty of).

Generally, a library buys an ebook for their collection and the author gets the royalty for that book. It can be lent to someone for a certain  period, then it will disappear out of their device and another reader can borrow it.  I believe ebooks from larger publishers can be licensed for a certain period that is then renewed after an agreed time - usually one or two years. If a book is likely to be popular, a library might buy multiple licenses/copies so more people can read it at the same time.

As a writer, it's often difficult to ascertain from royalty statements what is a library sale and what isn't.  If you're with a big publisher, it's possible that the price a library pays for an ebook is substantially higher than what a member of the public might pay.  And, as mentioned before, the right to lend it may need to be re-licensed at a later date.  

If you're self-published or with a small press, it's likely the only royalty you'll see from library sales is the initial sale - much the same as if the library buys a physical copy of your book to shelve.

Hope that's helpful!

X O'Abby