E-Book/Audiobook Advocacy Tools via RAILS and Becky's Reminder That Our History of Bad Communication Is to Blame

My home library system, Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), has created a set of advocacy tools that clearly explain the breadth of the pricing problem on eBook and eAudio books for libraries, and take the conversation directly to our patrons.

They have also made it all customizable for you to use for your library and have provided ALT text for all images. I am sharing their communication on the information and how to use it below. You now have no excuse to not participate in this important advocacy.

As multiple states are trying to fight the publishers and make it illegal to keep price gouging us, we need to get the word out to our patrons so that they are also discussing this with their legislatures. Remember, these are their tax dollars and most people have no idea how much we have to pay to get them their books. There are still people, regular library users, who are shocked when I tell them how much we have to pay for eBooks and eAudio books. Then they are further shocked when they find out we pay that and don't even own the books. And while we think it sounds ridiculous I need you all to understand that many people are under the impression that we buy a books once and then have access to it in every format. And that number of people is statistically relevant.

Here is the bigger problem though-- all of this misunderstanding is ON US. As I have written about before, we are terrible at communicating what we do and how nuanced, hard, and expensive it actually is.

We make excuses as to why we don't communicate better. I write about it in that post. But, as I also write in that post, all this does is hurt us more (see the librarians as groomers issue for proof).

We are hitting the tipping point on the eBook, eAudio issue. Making the legislative switch to focusing on the unfairness of the contracts the publisher make with us (over the previously struck down copyright arguments) is starting to work. But now we need constituents to reach out to their legislators without us as the middle-people. 

The RAILS advocacy tools are a way for us to CLEARLY explain to our patrons why they should be outraged at how expensive it is for us to buy their books in the formats they want-- again with their tax dollars. And thanks to RAILS, you can easily access those tools here (and below) is the landing page for the information including the link to download a canvas template which you can customize, including Alt text for all graphics.

Get this information out in your newsletters, on social media, to your friends and supporters groups. All you need is a small percentage of the people you reach with these communications to make the next step and call or email their representatives for us to move the needle forward and stop the price gouging.

Full disclosure, I spent 3 years on the RAILS Board. This means I understand how much work they have put into these. It started back when I was on the board. You can trust them and their resources. Also the fact that they did all this work and are sharing it, far and wide, with anyone who needs it, well, that is even better.

Click here or see below.

RAILS Releases New E-Book/Audiobook Advocacy Tools

RAILS is excited to launch a new set of advocacy tools for libraries to build awareness about the challenges of e-book and audiobook pricing. These documents include an advocacy flyer, sample social media graphics, and sample copy that libraries can use to make their communities aware of this growing problem.  

The original version of the flyer was shared at the 2025 ILA Legislative Meetups. This document is perfect for sharing with public library boards, community members, and legislators.  

The downloadable social media carousel graphics can be shared across all platforms. Libraries are welcome to download the Canva template to add their logo in the lower left corner. RAILS has provided alt text for these graphics. 

There is also sample copy available to accompany the social media graphics. This copy can also be used in newsletters, blogs, or press releases. We encourage libraries to utilize these messages wherever appropriate.  

Working together, libraries have the opportunity to make their voices heard on this issue. By sharing these messages with our communities, we can build a greater understanding of the need for fair access to e-books and audiobooks.  

For more information about this issue, please see the RAILS E-Resource Access Pulse page.