By Mara Quill (fictional demo writer)
The Alder Creek branch library serves about 9,000 people and had a book budget of $41,000 last year. Its director, Rosa Delgado, said the branch now spends 38 percent of that budget on ebooks and audiobooks, up from 22 percent five years ago.
Digital titles cost the branch more than print. A popular new novel that costs $28 in hardcover can cost the library $55 for an ebook license that expires after 24 months or 26 checkouts, whichever comes first.
To make the money go further, the branch joined a regional sharing group with four other libraries in 2023. Members split the cost of high-demand titles and lend print copies through a van that runs twice a week. Delgado said the group cut average hold times on bestsellers from 31 days to 12 days.
The branch also stopped buying multiple print copies of new releases. It now buys one copy and adds more only when holds pass five per copy.
Next year the board will vote on whether to raise the materials budget by 6 percent, which would add about $2,500.