Digital Library and Subscription Models

Digital library is a promising and yet somewhat neglected initiative. Most approaches today copy what physical libraries do for free or for some subscription fee. The process is borrowing and returning books from a pool of publications. But many people still don't buy it. Perhaps the subscription model is problematic, in that it doesn't allow a subscription for unlimited downloads. Apple Music, News+, TV+, etc. all offer unlimited access rather than borrowing and returning. If the pool of publications is large and attractive enough, digital library might succeed following the lead of these apps.

There are actually some clues for the success of a well-designed digital library. It's the electronic access offered by university libraries. Faculty and students regularly download electronic resources from university libraries in unlimited fashion. It's appealing and users love it. Although the selection of publications might differ for academic and mass audiences, the subscription model works.

Hope a well-designed digital library will emerge for the benefits of readers and authors.

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