Petition · Department for Business and Trade
Review how ebooks could be made cheaper for libraries
Closed
93 signatures
What the petition asks
Review the Public Lending Right Act 1979, to take into account ebooks and how to make them cheaper for libraries.
People are increasingly unable to access physical libraries due to schedules. Increasing availability of ebooks could increase reading.
We want the Government to investigate policies to increase the availability of ebooks in libraries by reducing financial burdens and encouraging publishers to increase the overall selection available.
The cost to libraries of buying ebooks is significantly higher than print, and the dominance of a "one copy, one user" licensing model often results in long waiting lists. Despite increasing demand, the overall selection of ebooks offered by publishers to libraries remains relatively small.
We want the Government to investigate policies to increase the availability of ebooks in libraries by reducing financial burdens and encouraging publishers to increase the overall selection available.
The cost to libraries of buying ebooks is significantly higher than print, and the dominance of a "one copy, one user" licensing model often results in long waiting lists. Despite increasing demand, the overall selection of ebooks offered by publishers to libraries remains relatively small.
Timeline
| 23 Jan 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 23 Jul 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
93
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Business and Trade
Opened
23 Jan 2026
Closed
23 Jul 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 14 Aug 2026.