Prince George Public Library Removes Mass Market Paperbacks
The Prince George Public Library is beginning to phase out its mass market paperback collection. The shift affects borrowers who rely on the affordable pocket-sized books, which have been popular with readers since the 1930s. Chris Field, the library’s manager of collections, stated that a major distributor discontinued the pocket-sized format in 2025, leaving the library unable to acquire new stock.
Libraries face mounting pressure from both supply chain changes and shifting reader habits. Field noted that the low-cost materials used to manufacture mass market paperbacks cause the books to wear out quickly. Data gathered by the library system also shows a steady drop in borrower demand for the smaller format. Consequently, the library is removing its entire mass market paperback inventory from its Nechako Branch to clear space for more book displays, while relocating some of the mass market books to its downtown branch.
Rising production expenses drive publishers toward premium formats
Industry economics and digital alternatives drive the decline of pocket books across the wider literary market. Hannah McGregor, an associate professor at Simon Fraser University who studies contemporary publishing models, explained that rising paper and production expenses make the traditional price point of $7.99 or $8.99 nearly impossible for publishers to maintain profitably. Publishers now favor high-end hardcovers featuring specialty details like sprayed edges and metallic foil covers that appeal to collectors willing to pay higher prices, McGregor said. At the same time, the steady growth of digital reading options continues to draw readers away from physical pocket editions.
Budget constraints force library administrators to weigh format popularity against high replacement rates. At the Smithers Public Library, director Wendy Wright reported a dwindling inventory of mass market paperbacks as digital borrowing surges. The Smithers branch currently circulates more than 1,000 ebooks each month compared to only about 70 mass market paperbacks. While acquiring digital licenses demands higher initial spending from library budgets, Wright emphasized that ebooks deliver greater utility to readers than pocket books that become worn out after a few uses.
Libraries allocate constrained funds to maximize community reach
| Library Branch / System | Reported Circulation or Action | Primary Alternative Formats |
|---|---|---|
| Prince George Public Library (Nechako Branch) | Removing entire mass-market collection | Book displays |
| Smithers Public Library | Circulating over 1,000 ebooks vs. ~70 pocket books monthly | Ebooks, hardcovers, trade paperbacks, large prints |
Public library systems must carefully allocate constrained public funds to maximize community reach. Wright noted that financial decisions hinge on serving the broadest possible audience. Libraries increasingly prioritize ebooks, hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and large prints.
Library Collection Shift:
Mass market paperbacks were developed to offer inexpensive, disposable reading materials. Today, rising paper and production costs and low profit margins have made publishers abandon the format.
Frequently Asked Questions About Library Paperback Phaseouts
Why can libraries no longer buy mass market paperbacks?
A major distributor discontinued the pocket-sized format in 2025, halting new acquisitions for the Prince George Public Library according to manager of collections Chris Field.
What genres are most affected by the loss of pocket books?
Romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and westerns are often produced in mass market paperback format.
How do ebook circulation numbers compare to mass market paperbacks in participating libraries?
The Smithers Public Library circulates over 1,000 ebooks every month while registering only about 70 circulations for mass market paperbacks, according to library director Wendy Wright.
Where are the remaining pocket books going?
The Prince George Public Library is removing all mass market paperbacks from its Nechako Branch to create room for more book displays, while relocating some of the mass market books to its downtown branch.