Simon & Schuster is opening up its e-book lending program to all libraries. Previously, the publisher's catalog was available only to those libraries participating in its “Buy It Now” merchandising program, which gives the library patron the option to purchase a copy of an S&S e-book through the library’s online portal, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale going to the library.

“We very much look forward to serving the broadest possible segment of the library community in order to bring our e-books to their patrons," said S&S president and CEO Carolyn Reidy, who added that the publisher still hopes libraries will "consider ‘Buy It Now’ as a new and viable option to generate revenue for the library and provide a service for their patrons.”

S&S titles, acquired by a library for lending, is usable for one year from the date of purchase, with an unlimited number of checkouts during that time period. The lending program includes both frontlist and backlist titles.