Martyn makes a really important point about the *shared* resource..and I think that’s at the heart of the matter. As John Thompson points out in his excellent book on ‘trade’ publishing (‘Merchants of culture’) ‘public libraries... represent...a relatively small and ….declining part of the market’. So shared ownership by libraries and lending of printed books isn’t seen as a threat to printed book sales. The format itself limits the way a book could be used. If I am borrowing a book no-one else can have that copy.
Digital (e.g. ebooks) makes a *profound* difference. Publishers want to control a very ‘slippery’ digital file that can (technically at least) be easily reproduced and distributed at close to zero cost. Therefore some ways of providing ebooks to libraries are *not* about *ownership* but about licensing. Already in academic libraries there are key eresources that are *not* owned. Licensing rather than ownership may well be the model increasingly forced by publishers upon libraries. If they can force business terms on the mighty Amazon (which some commentators reckon might account for around half the book biz in all formats by 2012) then what chance have libraries with such a small overall share of the market?
Macmillan’s CEO, John Sargent has admitted that e-books and public libraries is a thorny problem. He said (Bookseller 21st October 2010) ‘If there's a model where the publisher gets a piece of the action every time the book is borrowed, that's an interesting model.’ Of course that leaves libraries with a open ended cost for a resource. Hard to budget for that ---unless of course the library makes a charge per use too.
It seems like the move to charge for e-books is gaining ground even amongst public libraries themselves. If public libraries charge they will inevitably immerse themselves into an increasingly competitive commercial marketplace. As Martyn points out will they just be another kind of ‘shop’? In the academic sphere we are seeing the growth of commercial rental options-especially for textbooks. Companies can operate on a global level and gain the economies of scale that digital makes even more possible. Public libraries will struggle to compete on that basis. How then will they make their ebook offerings distinctive and provide value above other offerings? Will they really just compete on price? If not price then what? Ease of delivery, range of titles, relevance, quality...?
Indeed it may be we’ll see the re-emergence of the commercial circulating library. The ‘library’ on the high street of my home town was a commercial circulating library until the ‘60s when the public library put it out of business. Of course even public libraries aren’t wholly free. You might view them as already operating for print books what is sometimes termed, a ‘freemium’ business model. The basic book lending service is free but many people pay (notwithstanding a free renewal option) a ‘premium’ charge to have the book past three weeks (or whatever the standard loan period is).
The academic library sector has been grappling for some time with ‘business models’ for digital resources –especially journal articles. It’s still work in progress and there is much discussion around business models particularly around the ‘Open Access’ movement. Maybe public libraries should also take the opportunity to stand back and take a good hard look at their business model options in order to achieve what we want from public libraries.
(oh yes--and shameless plug for NAG-- I’ll be picking up that that biz model theme at the NAG conference in September)
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
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MARTYN EVERETT
Sent: 03 June 2011 19:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Charging for the loan of E books
Another point which needs to be made is that the readers have collectively purchased the books, e-books, computers and services etc which comprise the library. They own those things and use them on a shared or co-operative basis. That is the essence of a library - that it is comprised of shared resources. if we borrow a video from the library, we are borrowing our own video - whereas if we are borrowing it from blockbusters it is a commodity which we do not own, but which is being lent to us by the shopkeeper in exchange for money. Charging for items and services which we already own is not only a nonsense but it undermines the whole rationale of a library and transforms it bit by bit into a shop. Martyn
The compunction to debate charging for e-books undermines the national will to provide a free public library service … to anyone, let alone to “all those who are desirous to make use …..” Ian Clark is right. E-books are a phase in the movement of change in learning, information, culture and communications in general. It raises therefore, the question, again: where is the continuity of principle about the public library purpose that carries imaginative forward planning through the various phases of technological, social or other change. Many recent list discussions are about increasing income through § Associated services – shops, souvenirs [check the market], the ubiquitous “coffee” [need footfall and a product service to match – from restaurant to drinks machine], [Tried toilets? Stations do] or § Core business – like e-books, meeting facilities, community information display and even, heaven forbid, reference use of computers and internet Fear not I’ve researched all of these and introduced some; tell your elected members there’s a bit of income to be had but there’s more to the library than this. This is all understandable in the present economic – and political – climate, but there’s a fundamental principle: Ø e-book = book Ø Public library = free books Ø Ergo, public library = free e-books Now how do we move on to the fundamental issues of how we transform libraries into important cultural, learning, information and community centres that contribute to social justice and economic comfort? Yet again … it’s not just about stamping out books! John John Dolan OBE, BA, Dip Lib, MCLIP Tw. @johnrdolan T. 0121 476 4258 M. 07508 204200 -----Original Message----- I found this online which quotes the DCMS as saying that libraries can charge for ebooks, but that was before the election so may not apply: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/libraries-can-charge-e-books-dcms-conf irms.html Ian Clark Library Systems Officer, Augustine House, Canterbury Christ Church University Email: [log in to unmask] Tel. 01227 767700 ext 3141 -----Original Message----- From: John Dolan [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 03 June 2011 08:08 Subject: Re: Charging for the loan of E books Do you have a reference for this statement from DCMS? John John Dolan OBE, BA, Dip Lib, MCLIP Tw. @johnrdolan T. 0121 476 4258 M. 07508 204200 -----Original Message----- From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Laura Swaffield Sent: 01 June 2011 11:02 Subject: Re: Charging for the loan of E books DCMS says it's illegal. Funny, though, they never said that about talking books.... Laura ________________________________________ From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jon Scown [[log in to unmask]] Sent: 01 June 2011 10:09 Subject: Charging for the loan of E books ---------------------- Information from the mail header ----------------------- Sender: "lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries" Poster: Jon Scown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Charging for the loan of E books ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- --- Dear all We are in the process of setting up an E = books service in LibrariesWest=0D=0Aand would be interested to hear from an= y authorities that either=0D=0Acurrently charge end users or are planning t= o charge them - the=0D=0Amechanism used, amount charged, feedback from user= s etc. We're also keen=0D=0Ato hear from authorities that have considered a= nd rejected charging and=0D=0Athe reasons for this. Also, is anyone chargin= g for e books but not e=0D=0Aaudio or vice versa? =0D=0A=0D=0A =0D=0A=0D=0A= Happy to summarise any responses for the list if that would be helpful. =0D= =0A=0D=0A =0D=0A=0D=0AMany thanks =0D=0A=0D=0A =0D=0A=0D=0A =0D=0A=0D=0AJon= Scown=0D=0A=0D=0ALibrariesWest Development Officer =0D=0A=0D=0ATel: 01278 = 451201 ext 243 =0D=0A=0D=0AMob: 07739021344=0D=0A=0D=0ALibraries Centre, Mo= unt St, Bridgwater TA6 3ES=0D=0A=0D=0AEmail: JMScown=40somerset.gov.uk <mai= lto:JMScown=40somerset.gov.uk> =0D=0A=0D=0Awww.librarieswest.org.uk=0D=0A<= file:///C:=5CDocuments%20and%20Settings=5Cjmscown=5CApplication%20Data=5 CMi= cros=0D=0Aoft=5CSignatures=5Cwww.librarieswest.org.uk> =0D=0A=0D=0A =0D=0A= =0D=0A=0D=0AThis communication is intended solely for the person (s) or org= anisation to whom it is addressed. It may contain privileged=0D=0Aand conf= idential information and if you are not the intended recipient (s), you mus= t not copy, distribute or take any action=0D=0Ain reliance on it. 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mber-position:left;=0D=0A margin-left:187.2pt;=0D=0A text-indent:-61.2pt;= =7D=0D=0A=40list l0:level9=0D=0A =7Bmso-level-text:=22%1=5C.%2=5C.%3=5C.%4= =5C.%5=5C.%6=5C.%7=5C.%8=5C.%9=22;=0D=0A mso-level-tab-stop:234.0pt;=0D=0A = mso-level-number-position:left;=0D=0A margin-left:216.0pt;=0D=0A text-inden= t:-72.0pt;=7D=0D=0Aol=0D=0A =7Bmargin-bottom:0cm;=7D=0D=0Aul=0D=0A =7Bmargi= n-bottom:0cm;=7D=0D=0A-->=0D=0A</style>=0D=0A=0D=0A</head>=0D=0A=0D=0A<b ody= lang=3DEN-GB link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple>=0D=0A=0D=0A<div class=3DSection1>= =0D=0A=0D=0A<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span style=3D= 'font-size:10.0pt'>Dear=0D=0Aall <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<= p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10= .0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p class=3DMsoNormal><= font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>We=0D=0Aare in = the process of setting up an E books service in LibrariesWest and would=0D= =0Abe interested to hear from any authorities that either currently charge = end=0D=0Ausers or are planning to charge them &=238211; the mechanism used,= amount=0D=0Acharged, feedback from users etc. We&=238217;re also keen to h= ear from=0D=0Aauthorities that have considered and rejected charging and th= e reasons for=0D=0Athis. Also, is anyone charging for e books but not e aud= io or vice versa? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p class=3DMsoNo= rmal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p>&nbs= p;</o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 f= ace=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Happy=0D=0Ato summarise any re= sponses for the list if that would be helpful. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p= >=0D=0A=0D=0A<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span style= =3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p cla= ss=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'= >Many=0D=0Athanks <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p class=3DMsoNo= rmal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p>&nbs= p;</o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 f= ace=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font= ></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p><st1:PersonName w:st=3D=22on=22><font size=3D3 face=3DA= rial><span style=3D'font-size:=0D=0A 12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Jon Scown</s= pan></font></st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p><font size=3D3 fa= ce=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>LibrariesWest= =0D=0ADevelopment Officer </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p><font= size=3D3 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>T= el:=0D=0A01278 451201 ext 243 </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p><= font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aria= l'>Mob:=0D=0A07739021344</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p><fon t s= ize=3D3 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Lib= raries Centre,=0D=0A<st1:address w:st=3D=22on=22><st1:Street w:st=3D= =22on=22> Mount St </st1:Street>, <st1:City=0D=0A w:st=3D=22on=22>Bridgwater<= /st1:City> <st1:PostalCode w:st=3D=22on=22>TA6 3ES</st1:PostalCode></st1:ad= dress></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p><font size=3D3 face=3DAri= al><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Email:=0D=0A</span></= font><a href=3D=22mailto:JMScown=40somerset.gov.uk=22><font face=3DArial><s= pan=0D=0Astyle=3D'font-family:Arial'>JMScown=40somerset.gov.uk</span></f ont= ></a><font=0D=0Aface=3DArial><span style=3D'font-family:Arial'> </span= ></font><o:p></o:p></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p><font size=3D3 face=3D=22Times New Ro= man=22><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><a=0D=0Ahref=3D=22file:///C:=5CDocu= ments%20and%20Settings=5Cjmscown=5CApplication%20Data=5CMicrosoft=5CSign atu= res=5Cwww.librarieswest.org.uk=22><font=0D=0Asize=3D2 face=3DArial><span st= yle=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>www.librarieswest.org.uk</spa n><= /font></a></span></font><font=0D=0Asize=3D2 face=3DArial><span style=3D'fon= t-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font><font=0D=0Asize=3D2><span s= tyle=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A<p class= =3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><= o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=0D=0A=0D=0A</div>=0D=0A=0D=0A<BR>This co= mmunication is intended solely for the person (s) or organisation to whom i= t is addressed. It may <BR>contain privileged and confidential information= and if you are not the intended recipient (s), you must not <BR>copy, dist= ribute or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this e-m= ail in error please notify <BR>the sender and copy the message to ICTHelpDe= sk=40somerset.gov.uk=0D=0A<BR>=0D=0A<BR>Individuals are advised that by rep= lying to, or sending an e-mail message to Somerset County Council, you <BR>= accept that you have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy.=0D=0A<= BR>=0D=0A<BR>In line with the Surveillance and Monitoring Policy, any e-mai= l messages (and attachments) transmitted over <BR>the Council=E2=80=99s net= work may be subject to scrutiny.=0D=0A<BR>=0D=0A=0D=0A</body>=0D=0A=0D=0A</= html>=0D=0A ------_=_NextPart_001_01CC203B.ACD217E9-- |