The government is planning to establish a national digital library, where every member of a public library will be able to access. That must be the lending of digital books easier and cheaper.
Secretary of state Zijlstra, wrote in a letter to the Second Chamber that there is a common infrastructure for all libraries. For the design, management and further development of the new service comes in a total of 30 million euros available. The first libraries are already connected to the network, and at the end of 2012, all libraries are connected. Also have at the end of 2012 users will access the service, which from their pc to an e-book can borrow.
According to Zijlstra, the lending service for digital books is a result of the shift from physical to digital. A joint lending service for digital books does not only mean more convenience for users, but libraries are also in a better position to licences for digital copies, according to the secretary of state.
Amazon started already with a service that the lending of e-books from libraries. This, however, is not available in the Netherlands. In addition, Google in partnership with libraries to digitize books.