Countdown

HarperCollins' decision to put a cap of 26 checkouts on its e-books has drawn the ire of librarians.

Perhaps at each checkout the e-reader could convey a message to the circulation person: "25 to go"; "24 to go," etc. As the end approaches the warnings could become more urgent: "Watch it, there are only 8 to go"; "Time is running out, only 5 to go." The tone could become threatening: "After 2 more checkouts, it's repossession!" Or scolding: "1 to go; aren't you sorry you didn't buy multiple copies?"

What's next on the publisher's plate? Maybe a plan to retrieve hard copies after 26 checkouts.