Penguin suspends ebook lending service in UK and US

Penguin has pulled its ebook lending service in the UK as it works to resolve "security issues".

Libraries will not be able to lend ebooks from Penguin following the publisher's decision to temporarially stop supporting the service. No timeframe is currently being set for the service being restored, with Penguin citing "security issues".

In a statement, Penguin UK said while it was a supporter of libraries, it also had to protect author copyright.

"Penguin has been a long-time supporter of libraries, and the valuable role they play in connecting writers and readers in their local communities.

"Our overriding aim is to strike the right balance between access to our content and the protection of our authors' copyright."

The move follows on from similar action in America earlier this week. In the US, the American Library Association (ALA) has called for Penguin to restore ebook lending for libraries:

"Penguin Group's recent action to limit access to new e-book titles to libraries has serious ramifications. The issue for library patrons is loss of access to books, period. Once again, readers are the losers."