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.

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.