By now you would think publishers would have worked out the kinks over e-books. Apparently not! According to a report recently published in The Toronto Star, another publisher has amended its rule. The article pointed out "Penguin initially announced it was pulling all library e-titles downloaded on
Amazon’s Kindle device over security concerns, but last week amended it to
library access to its new Penguin e-books instead." With the e-book service libraries are starting to see a rise in the numbers of e-books being borrowed, but is it fair that public libraries be caught in this war?
The answer is NO. When the Toronto Library refused to buy any more books from Harper Collins, the library kept its word. For Harper Collins they might considered the Toronto Library as 1% of the purchasers so it was not a big lost to loose their service, however, that 1% has a much larger reader base that will be exposed to other authors, but they won't be from Harper Collins. With holidays fast approaching the Toronto Public Library reported over the holidays last year they noticed an increase borrowing over e-books, as people had received e-readers as gifts (In 2009 e-books borrowed was up to 196%, for 2010 the numbers jumped to 288%). With all the issues surrounding e-books one has to wonder who is impacted more but the publishers decision, the reader or the libraries.
Source:
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1093871--book-publishers-curb-library-access-to-e-books
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Tuesday 29 November 2011
Monday 28 November 2011
Smart applications and the Library
Can smart applications really work for libraries? Do they provide a valuable service? Yes, they do in so many ways. Libraries are a treasure trove of information, from archive materials to the latest reading material for the e-book reader. I have never been to the United Kingdom before, but I found a video on You Tube about smart technology and the British Library. While the video was brief, it does have an impact on what this application can do for the patron but readily we can access the information regardless of where we live in the world.
As I stated earlier more libraries are releasing archive images or materials via the web. Imagine if your doing a presentation and needed an image or had to review a original resource for a paper, or a major presentation. The smart application can help you get access to that information. What I found astonishing with the British Library video was that speeches which were recorded in the last hundred years have been preserved and are release over the web. Speeches can range from the women's movement to Nelson Mandela is struggle for equality in South Africa in the 1950-60's. Once upon a time you needed to fly to the U.K. to hear or see the resources, with smart technology the resources can come to you. One comment by a user has shown how technology has improved our life was when a user from Germany ask if they could access the application.
As I stated earlier more libraries are releasing archive images or materials via the web. Imagine if your doing a presentation and needed an image or had to review a original resource for a paper, or a major presentation. The smart application can help you get access to that information. What I found astonishing with the British Library video was that speeches which were recorded in the last hundred years have been preserved and are release over the web. Speeches can range from the women's movement to Nelson Mandela is struggle for equality in South Africa in the 1950-60's. Once upon a time you needed to fly to the U.K. to hear or see the resources, with smart technology the resources can come to you. One comment by a user has shown how technology has improved our life was when a user from Germany ask if they could access the application.
Super Library
Just reading a news article on the BBC about Canada Water Library. No, its not a library in Canada about water. Its quite the opposite, its the latest library that has open in South London in the U.K.. When cities, and governments are looking to save money, London has done the opposite. The features of the new library (besides the usual collection of 40,000 books, CD's, & films), is the library's has ability to house theater performances, meetings, and evening courses. The other unique feature about the library is its construction on a small parcel of land. The building is like an upside mini pyramid.
The library is offering more than books to borrow. It is offering a variety services to the general public, who would have thought of hosting a theater performance in a library? But the library and the city council listened to their community. The city and the library board listened to the needs of community. with over 6,000 users the pubic would have rather have reduce hours, and have libraries staff by volunteers as oppose to shutting down the library altogether. To date not many governments in North America are listening to the views of people, however this library is hoping to be model to the rest of the community.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15912616
The library is offering more than books to borrow. It is offering a variety services to the general public, who would have thought of hosting a theater performance in a library? But the library and the city council listened to their community. The city and the library board listened to the needs of community. with over 6,000 users the pubic would have rather have reduce hours, and have libraries staff by volunteers as oppose to shutting down the library altogether. To date not many governments in North America are listening to the views of people, however this library is hoping to be model to the rest of the community.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15912616
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