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A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
E-books in UK Public Libraries…the story so far
Penny GarrodUKOLNUniversity of BathBath, BA2 7AY
[email protected]://www.ukoln.ac.uk/
UKOLN is supported by:
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Contents
1. The key players
2. Ebooks in public libraries – the early years
3. Ebooks in public libraries - current situation
4. Who’s doing what in public libraries?
5. Models for ebooks in public libraries
6. Ongoing issues for libraries
7. Ebooks in academic libraries: brief overview
8. Alternative resources and models
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
3
Ebooks: the key players
Publishers
[intermediaries: aggregators &
ebook suppliers]
-Retail model: control use & safeguard profits (Digital Rights Management)
-Focus on end-users not libraries – role for ebook suppliers
Libraries
(various sectors)
Readers/
end users
Aim to enhance existing services
Exploit online environment-24/7 + remote access
seek cost-effective, sustainable models
What can ebooks offer?
Are charges payable?
Do ebooks meet their needs?
Are they exciting and easy to use?
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
4
Ebooks: the early yearsFocus on dedicated devices-Devices synonymous with ‘ebooks’-Rocket eBook readers – tried by Blackburn with Darwen -Pilot study: 2000-01 Loughborough University & Market Harborough public library using 8 x Rocket eBook readersResource funded survey: Loughboro looked at ebook provision in UK public libraries (March 2002) – very little activity
-Why? Publishers able to control content easier than on PCs or PDAs
-Simulates book/reading experience
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
5
Ebooks: current situation
Collapse of dot.coms; cooling off period; poor sales; survival of the fittestAggregators – starting to take an interest in public libraries:
• OCLC acquires netLibrary; user group for UK/Europe set up in 2002: public libraries represented
• Ebrary: offers different funding/access model2003: several projects to pilot ebook services: await outcome as results will influence future activities Format wars: leaders emerging: Microsoft Reader (ClearType) and Adobe Acrobat e-Reader for PCs
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
6
Ebooks in Public Libraries
Usage not guaranteedMostly project funded small pilots Demographics: numerous local authorities serving diverse populations: consortia/regional purchasing may offer solutionTrend towards emulating lending model e.g. purchase & loan reading devices loaded with fiction titlesPeople’s Network: fiction not suitable for use with PCs - reference materials are more appropriateIn UK (and elsewhere) services for specific communities e.g. housebound and rural communities, disabled people and children; can ebook models meet the needs of various communities?
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
7
Ebooks: who’s doing what in public libraries?Project funded pilots and feasibility studies: testing the waterMixed model approach – helps spread the risk; evidence-based; find out what works and what’s feasible for public libraries
LB Richmond: People’s Network Excellence fund: audio + netLibrary +Safari (PC based)
Co-East + Loughboro Uni + Essex libraries (Laser Foundation): ebrary (PC-based) + Palm pilot devices using Overdrive.com
Blackburn with Darwen: PN Excellence fund:purchased 40 x iPAQ PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) – negotiating with Overdrive to supply content in MS format
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
8
Ongoing issues for libraries (1)Content:US bias- limited European/global contentModels for libraries:ebook supplier - preferred option for academic librariesbenefits to libraries and end-users? Critical mass not yet reached – limited usage statistics/feedback impact on print collections?staff training requirementscollection development policiesintegrating ebooks: MARC records;OPACs promotion/marketing (community profiling)quality management issuesPricing and access issues: single user restrictions etc. Limited international rights re content (US titles)
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
9
Ongoing issues for libraries (2)Hardware: what do users prefer? Future trends? Targeting specific groups etc.
PCs/Laptops (Microsoft Tablet PC?)
PDAs (handheld devices) e.g Palm; iPAQ
Dedicated ebook readers
Music/audio players
Software
Microsoft reader
Adobe ebook reader
Mobipocket, Palm etc. for PDAs
E-content
Restrictions- publishers produce content in various formats for different platforms
limited choice/access (US bias)
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
10
netLibrary in the UK
User group: for UK/Europe/S. Africa set up by OCLC/PICA Birmingham - September 2002Mainly academic users; Public Libraries represented by Resource, Hampshire County Council & UKOLN Committee representative of main sectors; 1 member from Denmark (Aalborg University)netLibrary negotiate improvements with individual publishers on behalf of the user groupprogress reports at user group meetings e.g. Rich Rosy, Vice-President on 3 Dec 2002Email discussion list and website for usersnetLibrary interested in expanding European customer
base.
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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netLibrary User Group: UK, Europe and South Africa
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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netLibrary ebooks at Richmond
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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www.overdrive.com
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Ebooks in academic libraries
Academic librarieslarge client group - attractive to ebook suppliers, aggregators & publisherseasier to meet needs of students: core curriculum & reading lists; good IT and Internet access on campus; reference books & set texts; short loane-journals well established - ebooks are a natural progression content is available: computing; business studies; medicine; reference texts etc.Functionality suits student use; 24x7 access; anyplace/anytime
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
15
Other resources & modelsFree ebooks: many libraries offering ebook services provide link to free ebook resources e.g. LB Richmond links to Australian site: http://www.e-book.com.au/freebooks.htm
classics/out of copyright literature; Best free digital libraries e.g. Project Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.net Internet Public Library (USA)
http://www.ipl.org/reading/books
Lending library model: e.g. Ozebooks.com (Australia)aimed at rural communities; reading disabilities; PC or handheld device using Mobipocket software…
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Conclusions1. ebook suppliers/aggregators offer tailored model for
libraries e.g. netLibrary is current main contender involving users and developing new global
markets continually adding new content; receptive to
notion of alternative access models But…expensive; single user access; US bias +
restrictions on content; fiction limited to out of copyright
Ebrary: expanding client base; simultaneous multi-user access model
2. Complex, fast moving environment. Users will be ultimate determinant of success. Right product, right price, right time. Must be promoted/marketed.
