For Immediate Release
Sen. Hwang Addresses CT Librarians;
Discusses E-Book Price Disparities
Sen. Tony Hwang on Dec. 5 addressed librarians from across Connecticut during a Listening Session with state lawmakers at the Legislative Office Building. (Watch Sen. Hwang’s remarks here and here.)
“We love all our libraries,” Sen. Hwang said. “And we must do everything we can to help our librarians address the challenges they face. The cost of eBooks is among the top challenges, and we must work together in an effort to bring those costs down.”
Libraries regularly pay four to five times what consumers pay for the same eBooks and then are forced to rebuy the same titles every year, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars over the life of a single eBook and making a robust eBook collection out of reach for many libraries.
“This year, we introduced legislation to support our libraries’ collections and their bottom lines,” Sen. Hwang said. “Publishers have been taking advantage of libraries and taxpayers for far too long. Every taxpayer in Connecticut supports their local library through their hard-earned tax dollars. This issue affects everyone. It’s an access and equity issue. It’s also a consumer protection issue. We must continue working collaboratively to create solutions which work for all stakeholders.”
Sen. Hwang and attendees also discussed Connecticut’s “Right to Read” law, which requires local and regional education boards to implement a reading curriculum model or program for grades prekindergarten to grade three. When the law goes into full effect in 2025, school districts will be required to submit comprehensive reports of their literacy programs every two years.
“I will continue to work closely with librarians and educators in Bethel, Easton, Fairfield, and Newtown to help them address their challenges,” Sen. Hwang said.
Attached photo:
Sen. Tony Hwang (at right) listens to CT librarians during a Dec. 5 meeting at the State Capitol Complex.
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