Alexander Smith offers to pay
libraries president of Publishers' Forum "offers to introduce payment for the use of library funds. She writes in his column on « Ukrainian Pravda. Life & raquo ;. She points out that the network again ’ appeared alarming information about the huge decline Ukrainian edition books.According to the CEO of the publishing house « Folio » Alexander Krasovytskyi, this year's edition of books in Ukraine may be reduced by 4-5 times, which will mean the inevitable and rapid collapse of an entire industry, and suffer not only publishers, but the bookstore and printing. &Laquo; About a potential threat to the development « Human Capital » I remember only at the margin, because this argument was speaking to someone in our government, – Smith said. &Ndash; But I believe that the threat be in the coming years without books can mobilize for decisive action is the part « Capital & raquo ;, who understands the real consequences of this disaster and is ready to take decisive action to prevent it ». According to her, causes contractions that calls Krasovitsky due to market factors: « In connection ’ connection with a sharp devaluation of the hryvnia 3-4 times compared to last year, went up paper and other printing materials are mostly imported. Increasing energy costs pushing up the cost of printing services, reluck, warehousing and distribution, resulting increase in the cost of printed books in the same number of times. Accordingly, the publishers to be able to at least play their volumes will have to increase selling prices & raquo ;. O. Smith said that the book is similar to that a few months ago has cost 50-80 USD, now koshtuvaTimaeus 200-300 USD. But the question is, in fact, not the price, and demand, which is understandable because of the circumstances fall significantly. President Publishers Forum recalls that Parliament and the government allegedly went to meet and preserved for Publishers exemptions from VAT and income tax. &Laquo; but I do not have to repeat the first year that the root of the problem inkrayinskoyu book is not in the presence or absence of benefits and a low demand for this important for the life of every healthy society product. Low demand, in turn, promotes the growth of competitive bids, and so the circle. Thus, the quality of Ukrainian books still not enough to satisfy all the needs of mainstream or niche. Andfor, at ’ objectively research and market data indicate that Ukrainian read and buy enough books that clearly do not belong to the consumer priorities. Yes, war is the worst of all expectations, so, inflation, economic crisis that is about to turn into collapse and lead to another political crisis. Yes, we know that the state and localgovernmental budgets can allocate a little more, let 10 – 20 – 30 million USD, but if you really fall in sales will reach 60-80% in circulation, it will not survive nine ’ yatom ten publishers & raquo ;, – says Smith. She recalls that in previous years offered systematic measures that will stabilize and gradually improve the situaon the Ukrainian book market, they are too many to supplement, but implementation will take 1-3 years to less turbulent time. However, if the forecast comes true Krasovytskyi, then six months to stabilize there will be nothing. That is why you need to quickly drastic measures to save themselves. Alexander Smith said, who can throw the publishers, theyativne range, if not most readers of books. &Laquo; they go to the bookstore and buy. We believe that they will commit to purchase books the same amount as last year, but buy for the money now will be only half or even a third of that last year. As readers of this habit is not enough, you can expect that they will go to the library, where their eyesforging … But the shelves of libraries, with their rather poor range also empty 60 – 70%. What do they read? & Raquo ;, – she asked. President Publishers Forum to discuss the scheme offers to help libraries fulfill their function of providing equal access to information and cultural products and caresimultaneously, contribute to the preservation and stabilization of the publishing industry. It is about the introduction of fees for the use of library funds. &Laquo; Yes, I know that libraries to pay for it, like, prohibited, – says Smith. &Ndash; Another version – they do not want, because it is difficult, can not, afraid and lazy. Yes, I understand that they willb outraged voices again someone wants to cash in by people who are well paid and taxes. But perhaps it is high time to realize that will never be as before and we all agree we have to create new rules and then follow them & raquo ;. She cites the National Parliamentary Library: « Iffor each « of books & raquo ;, and they, according to the data in 2013 was 198 793 000 270 books 85,438,000 600 units of periodicals, 119 thousand 570 audiovisual products and 456 thousand electronic publications, then paying only 1 USD for reading, you can collect more than 250 million, which can be spent on the actual purchase of new books inUkrainian Publishers & raquo ;. Alexander Smith highlights the benefits of this innovation: * Active library, explaining to his readers the importance of this joint effort; in practice they can verify the importance of what they do; received financial support from their readers, they will be more confident in external fundraisingand will be able to raise additional funds from sponsors and patrons; * Reading a mobilized public, because now state « his » libraries depend solely on the efforts and goodwill of the reading community; This will facilitate the mobilization and the emergence of new meanings joint activity in support of libraries; people learn to jointly put pressure on localpower to get them proper cultural services and products; * Power will be under pressure to continue to regard the needs of local communities in the cultural products and services; * Publishers will be able to issue more new books to establish horizontal communications ’ relationships with libraries to understand their needs; * Library will receive 250 million USD for ZakSo instead upivlyu almost zero at times can get more new books and become independent in their choice; * Readers have more new books and the ability to influence their choice. A. Smith adds that the introduction of fees in the libraries we lose « 250 million less in the pockets of 46 million Ukrainian (5 USD per person), oronly 10 million active users of libraries (25 USD per person per year) & raquo ;. Alexander Koval said to introduce this innovation will have a little effort and a lot of good will: * Need to quickly implement all necessary regulatory mechanisms that would allow libraries to charge for the use of funds. At the same time librariesfolders required to provide economic and financial independence, the opportunity to dispose of the funds collected, but only to replenish funds; * Before they need to convince of the importance and the absolute necessity of this step, because why keep the library, where there will be new books and, accordingly, readers; * Required before sformcomply with the opinion and enlist the support of influential people in the regions to deploy a powerful campaign for this step; * In addition, as a temporary measure, offer local authorities who planned funds for repairs libraries, this year and next submit them to purchase books. &Laquo; Yes, I understand that it wereleast one segment, and that all the problems are not solved immediately publishers, – Smith said. &Ndash; There is also the issue of school textbooks, the functioning of the market, creating preferences for manufacturers and distributors, import regulations, stimulate demand & raquo ;. President Publishers Forum acknowledged that had never thought of carrytion paywall because « it is somehow not in European & raquo ;, however, it appears that this may be precisely the thread, pulling you, will unravel the whole ball of book problems. &Laquo; I would like to at least hold a constructive public discussion of this perspective and to develop effective mechanisms for implementation & raquo ;, – suppliedla it. A. Smith said: « life now gives us many examples of people felt their sub ’ yektnist they want to influence or decide vital issues. If libraries, publishing books and vital – society can well resolve the issue. The role of government and the media in this case – onpromote the launch process and no longer interfere with the control and new taxes & raquo ;.Source: http://artlife.rv.ua/