I urge all those in the public library sector that are concerned about this development and want to get involved in trying to find solutions to the whole raft of other commercial and technical challenges we face to join the just formed SCL e-books group. We aim to re-start the our online community of practice set up that MLA initiated so we can debate the issues and work on solutions. If you are interested send me your e-mail address.
We will be sending out a press release outlining SCL views and contacting the Publishers Association as well as individual publishers with a set of proposals outlining the way public libraries e-books services operate and the value and indeed values we bring. We hope to persuade more publishers to sell to us so our offer improves. It is interesting to see that the 6 largest US publishers are not supporting Amazon in their latest venture. The e-book marketplace is a mess and we could either be squeezed out of it or occupy a very small niche unless we get fuller acknowledgement of our role. If the Digital Census mentioned in the Bookseller of 21/10 is true and e-books sales overtake printed books by 2020, then the future of public library lending services will be rather impoverished if we have to rely largely on traditional hard copy printed and AV formats (if the latter still exist by then). Its no use moaning about this to each other - we need to raise our voice and our profile
Stephen Edwards
Stock Manager
Joint Chair of the SCL e-books group
Hampshire County Council Library HQ, 5/6 Moorside Place, Moorside Road, Winchester
SO23 7FZ
Phone: 01962 826611
Mobile Tel: 07590 774511
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
VISIT THE HAMPSHIRE E-BOOKS WEBSITE: http://hampshirelibrary.lib.overdrive.com
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ken Chad
Sent: 03 November 2011 15:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amazon launch eBook lending service in US
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
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