Given that ePub (the format that is currently available via Overdrive) is the industry standard (and also the format used by Apple btw). Personally, I see little danger of it become the modern-day Betamax. Not least because too many vested interests would be opposed to Amazon having a monopoly on both the ebook format and sale.
Besides, Overdrive ebooks are now able to be read on the iPhone and iPad so it's not really much of a risk. And certainly, from my knowledge, library ebooks have been VERY popular indeed with users. But I guess that is easy for me to say, I don't manage budgets!
Ian Clark
Systems Officer
Canterbury Christ Church Uni
Sent from Ian's iPhone
On 14 Sep 2011, at 09:39, "Brown, Alan" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I would like e-books to work on all major platforms (including Kindle,
> which is the one we get asked about the most). From what I can gather
> from overdrive although there are plans in the US to make their books
> available in Kindle format. So far, I believe there are no such plans in
> the UK.
>
> Personally I don't think we can justify a major investment in an e-book
> platform, which can only provide ebooks in a format that could turn out
> to be the Betamax of e-book formats. This may be a bit of a harsh
> assessment, but budgets are tight.
>
> --
> Alan Brown
> Library Systems Liaison Officer
> Bury Libraries
> Resource Services
> Textile Hall
> Manchester Rd
> Bury BL9 0DG
> 0161 253 5877
> http://www.bury.gov.uk/libraries
> http://library.bury.gov.uk
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Burton, Luke [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 13 September 2011 15:32
> Subject: Re: ebooks again :RE: RNIB National library service survey of
> ebook services in public libraries
>
> At the NAG Conference last week I ran a workshop on E-formats in public
> libraries at which several interesting issues were raised. Among these
> Ken Chad mentioned that as libraries we need to be clear about what we
> expect from eBook services and what we are trying to do when we offer
> these services. Once we have a clear idea of what it is we are trying to
> do we could then go to publishers and ask them what it would take to get
> them fully onboard with eBooks in public libraries.
>
> I would certainly be interested in having this discussion as library and
> information professionals and then taking it to some publishers to at
> least get their thoughts. As they say in Newcastle "Shy bairns get
> nowt!"
>
> I was wondering if anyone would be interested in putting together a
> proposal/document that at least spelled out what were trying to do. If
> anyone is interested I would happy to be contacted on or off list and we
> could put something together via emails or even in person.
>
> Kind Regards
>
>
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