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The lack of a Kindle link is of course partly to do with Amazon but also to do with the fact that, on the Internet, libraries lack the ‘gravitational pull’ (a phrase used much by Lorcan Dempsey at OCLC). People are going to fewer and fewer websites and library websites/catalogues barely figure at all (something I referred to in a recent CILIP Gazette article http://www.kenchadconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/platforms_CILIP_ Gazette_2December2010.pdf). Library catalogue data remains very fragmented. So It looks like we are back in the National Catalogue’ debate again—if you aggregate data on a large scale then a range of potential benefits arise. As we discussed back in September (see the archive at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A1=ind1009 <https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A1=ind1009&L=lis-pub-libs#48> &L=lis-pub-libs#48 about 20% of UK authorities are ‘exposing’ their holdings to Google (mostly by using OCLC -details are on the Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) website (https://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/National+Catalogue ) so we have a kind of/sort of 20% National Catalogue. The barriers are not really technical or even financial—indeed such a ‘shared service’ should bring opportunities for cost savings as well as service improvements. I wasn’t able to galvanise much interest back in September ..perhaps John will be more successful.... Ken CEO, Ken Chad Consulting Ltd Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.kenchadconsulting.com/> www.kenchadconsulting.com Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad Open Library Systems Specifications: <http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com/> http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix Sent: 05 January 2011 11:22 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Kindle links Yes I remember that probably too fiddly, but a simpler version now shouldn't be too difficult. people like to do very little to get a lot f Frances Hendrix Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs PR6 7QR, UK tel: 01257 274 833. fax: 01257 266 488 email: [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Stead <mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 11:19 AM Subject: Re: Kindle links In the dim and distant past (actually 2006, which seems a lifetime ago), Talis released a script for the web browser Firefox which did just what we're talking about here: if you had this thing installed on your computer and looked at a book on Amazon, it would insert a box on the web page with links to the book on the library catalogues of your choice: http://www.talis.com/tdn/greasemonkey/amazon-libraries It's a few years since I've used it, but I was pretty impressed. Yes, it relied on users having Firefox and installing an add-on script, but it worked. I've a feeling it wasn't just limited to Talis OPACs, but I could be wrong about that. I'm sure someone will correct me if that's the case. So yes, something a bit like this has been done before. It required a bit of effort on the part of the end-user - using Firefox and installing a script, which may be genuinely insurmountable barriers for some - but it was effective. Michael. Michael Stead – Transformation Officer Libraries, Heritage and Arts Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust Redgate Road, South Lancs Industrial Estate Bryn, Wigan WN4 8DT 01942 486996 (internal ext. 86996) http://wlct.org <http://wlct.org/> _____ From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Moger, David Sent: Wed 05 January 2011 08:35 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [LIS-PUB-LIBS] Kindle links If you want to see this in practice look at www.whichbook.net , Opening the Book’s reader development database. Once you have chosen your book a click on “borrow” will bring up some simple screens directing you to your local library catalogue. The system even puts your search into the catalogue so you can have the location of your chosen book in 5 clicks. David Moger Stock Manager Wiltshire Libraries 01225 713716 [log in to unmask] From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Dolan Sent: 04 January 2011 21:27 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Kindle links We have to keep moving forward. David Potts is absolutely right. In spite of his own strenuous efforts in this area, all the national leadership to date has failed to knock up the obvious parallel innovation to the People’s Network, namely a single catalogue and request system for UK/England public libraries. This would have been a critical gain for access and proving that public libraries in the UK mean modern business. With the demise of national leads as MLA goes and DCMS still takes no actively creative role in library development [that could of course change, Minister!] it’s left to others to make it happen. The 10 Future Libraries Programme studies involve more than 10 authorities; it will propose shared services as an economy, while claiming it’s also better. OK it’s some months before the predictable results emerge, but hey. If the studies are meant to give direction then why not coordinate a “shared” recommendation that is more than back office change, but combines efficiency and effectiveness. § Perhaps SCL colleagues would foster an interest albeit in the midst of library managers handling awful cuts and closures § CILIP could offer advocacy support and garner expertise as it has supported RFID § Surely the Arts Council will see the benefit of a coup in its first year of responsibility for libraries § Authors would surely be supportive § Would the LGA be interested in a positive distraction from the cuts? § Would UNISON see an opportunity to raise the profile and status of libraries? § Would school, college and university libraries see the massive advantage of local access to resources for everyone in learning and study? § SOCITM, looking for a chance for innovation, could support and enable § Private sector providers must surely see an opportunity – what price philanthropy, sponsorship, partnership and sustainability? Even Government [DCMS and others] might see an opportunity for a positive strategy for reading and information access – very big society, very do it yourself….. While we’re at it, why restrict this to public libraries. It can all be done. See Wales http://library.wales.org/catcymru/ or Scotland and World Cat http://www.slainte.org.uk/slaintedl.htm Thanks David. Great ideas – even the largely cost-free interims you suggest. Now, everyone else, let’s see some action! John John Dolan OBE, BA, Dip Lib, MCLIP E. <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Tw. @johnrdolan M. 07508 204200 ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. 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