Licensing – DPLA Ebooks

Palace Marketplace Licensing Models

Explore the unique licensing models offered by Palace Marketplace

DPLA has worked with publishers including Amazon Publishing, Audible, Workman, Abrams, and Independent Publishers Group to develop a variety of flexible licensing models. Currently, titles from more than 100 publishers are available with multiple licensing models, giving libraries the flexibility to keep one copy perpetually on the virtual shelf while lending out multiple copies of in-demand titles simultaneously. You can browse titles available with these terms here.

In addition to the models available through Palace Marketplace, more than 30 publishers are offering unlimited simultaneous use licensing through our partner BiblioLabs, including Capstone, Orca Book Publishers, Independent Authors Project, Triumph Books, Chicago Review Press, Dark Horse Comics, and more.

See below for a more detailed explanation of some of the licensing models available in Palace Marketplace.

Preferred Model

Perpetual one-user-at-a-time

Bundle of 100 available simultaneously

Bundles of 40 lends available 10 at a time

Bundles of 5 available simultaneous

Community Reads

Why we like it

The one-user-at-a-time model may result in holds queues for popular books but perpetual access ensures that the item will remain in the library’s holdings and available to be discovered for years to come.

This large bundle allows the library to promote titles without holds queues building up. It also allows the publisher and author to be compensated appropriately because the price-per-lend is usually higher than that offered on the bundle of 40 to account for the value of making all lends available simultaneously.

This bundle is designed to help libraries promote books AND maintain availability, allowing the titles to have maximum discovery through the library but also ensuring that, if popular, the title is repurchased (in as little as 8 weeks). It strikes a balance between the one-user-at-a-time model and the higher cost bundles available simultaneously.

This small bundle allows libraries to take a low-risk chance on a book they may not otherwise acquire. It also allows the publisher and author to collect a higher price on a per-lend basis. This model also allows libraries to include and promote discovery of lesser-known authors and titles.

Community Reads licensing empowers libraries to highlight a book without making patrons wait in holds queues for the recommended work. These special custom deals are available for book clubs and city or statewide reading programs. This is a great way for libraries to drive discovery of new authors and titles.

Palace Marketplace Licensing Models

Preferred Model

Why we like it

Ready to find out more?

DPLA’s ebook work is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.