In case you missed the tweet:) --Some more positive news of ebooks and
public libraries from South Ayrshire..
I was at the ‘ebooks unbound’ conference in Glasgow last week and delighted
by the presentation by Jean Inness of South Ayrshire libraries..really
positive and upbeat. They really have grabbed the bull by the horns and
started their own ebook publications. See the end (read the rest too -some
useful figures for example) of their presentation in the slideshare link
below
http://www.slideshare.net/scottishlibraries/e-book-presentationsouthayrshire
libraries
There was quite a buzz about it and it seemed a number of other authorities
were keen to learn from South Ayrshire’s pioneering work. I heard librarians
talking about the potential to publish local and debut authors etc...
And btw the ALA response to the Amazon news is here
http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2011/11/ebooks/amazon-starts-lending-ebooks-b
ut-head-of-ala-says-libraries-still-offer-best-value/
Ken
Ken Chad Consulting Ltd
Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: [log in to unmask]
www.kenchadconsulting.com
Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad
Open Library Systems Specifications: http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.comSee my
recent presentations on slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/kenchad
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steven Heywood A
Sent: 03 November 2011 11:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amazon launch eBook lending service in US
A couple of ideas, neither of which address the actual problem but if the
problem’s going to be sat there like a lump we may as well see if we can
make positive use of it:
• We know what a pain the current state of play is. A lot of our customers
don’t and the limitations of the technology and licensing models sometimes
come as an unwelcome surprise to them. Some “It’s OK to feel confused: DRM
really can be confusing” sessions might be a useful addition to public
libraries’ contribution to digital literacy. Perhaps CILIP could work with
UKOnline on putting together an online module that could be used with Go On
and the like? It would be useful to our customers and it would break the
conversation about the problem out of the echo chamber.
• Over the years I’ve often heard it lamented that public libraries don’t
make nearly enough of the fact that they’re collectively making available
the national back-catalogue of reading. I happen to agree with that: it’s
one of the unsung strengths of the service. The current situation could be
an opportunity to avoid making this mistake with e-books: pitched and
marketed aggressively the backlist could become part of the unique selling
point of the library. And this would be sustainable: the backlist gets
bigger every day and any book you haven’t read is a new one. The advantage
this time is that the old books don’t have somebody else’s greasy
fingerprints on the cover.
Just my two penn’orth, as usual.
Steven
Steven Heywood
Information Systems Development Officer (Libraries)
Performance & Transformation Service
Floor6, Telegraph House
Baillie Street
Rochdale
OL16 1QY
Tel: 01706 924332
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk
http://libraries.rochdale.gov.uk
________________________________________
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of David Tanner
Sent: 03 November 2011 11:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amazon launch eBook lending service in US
Fiona
I agree with everything you say. The launch of our eBooks service generated
the highest number of unsolicited emails of praise we have ever received. We
experienced a month on month increase in our eBook issues. However, I am
totally frustrated by the restrictions we are having to work under and the
public find the restrictions very galling. Probably that came through overly
in my message!
David Tanner
North Yorkshire
From: Marriott, Fiona [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 03 November 2011 11:01
To: David Tanner; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Amazon launch eBook lending service in US
I know I may be coming across as Pollyanna, and I agree we have to look to
the long term.
The new SCL eBook group is hoping to start a dialogue again with publishers,
and to raise the profile of eBook lending nationally. There was a meeting on
Tuesday in Bromley, which I know more people would have liked to have
attended, but we will make information from the meeting available and keep
people up to date with any progress or actions.
As far as we understand it, Overdrive Kindle compatibility is heading our
way, although there is no “official confirmation” of this, or a date, but
for Overdrive customers this may help with sustainability in the medium
term.
For us, the backlist is proving almost as popular as the newer titles, but I
recognise that this is not going to be sustainable in the long term.
I just feel we are in danger of coming across as totally negative about our
eBook services, when many of us are experiencing real growth in this area
and a real appreciation of the service from our customers.
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of David Tanner
Sent: 03 November 2011 10:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amazon launch eBook lending service in US
The threat isn't immediate, its long term. If you are using a Kindle now you
probably don't borrow much from the public library anyway. However, as
eBooks gather momentum in the general marketplace, and if publishers
continue to restrict our purchasing of titles, that is where the damage will
be done. Until we are given access to purchase and loan all eBooks the
future looks very uncertain for this aspect of our business. I am in danger
of repeating myself but it's worth re stating. In over a year of providing
an eBook service we have been unable to satisfy a single suggestion for
purchase. Every title suggested has been unavailable.
David Tanner
North Yorkshire
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Marriott, Fiona
Sent: 03 November 2011 10:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amazon launch ebook lending service in US
It’s along the lines I expected – Amazon weren’t going to offer wide ranging
access to their holdings, as it risked killing their own sales. On this
basis, public libraries still have an offer that is unique, and we need to
shout about it!
Fiona Marriott
Adult Services Manager
Luton Libraries
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Ken Chad
Sent: 03 November 2011 09:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Amazon launch ebook lending service in US
Amazon has launched its ebook lending service. The US launch is today..no
info yet on a UK launch. A link to a Wall Street Journal piece with info
about the service and comment from a publisher and a librarian is on the
Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) wiki
https://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/E-Books
Ken
Ken Chad Consulting Ltd
Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: [log in to unmask]
www.kenchadconsulting.com
Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad
Open Library Systems Specifications: http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com
|