Tag Archives: library

E-books click as library visitors fall #FED_ebooks #library #ebooks #author #writer

Leave a reply
Knox Weekly    Bayswater Vic Australia

by Tara McGrath

ONCE UPON A time, libraries were places to hunt out an old and dusty book – but that image is quickly being replaced by e-books, free wi-fi and interactive websites.

First Edition Design eBook Publishing

However, as technology advances, the number of people visiting Eastern Regional Libraries branches in person is down by almost 500,000 in the past five years.

In the 2006-07 financial year there were 2.5 million physical visits to ERL branches, but in 2010-11 that dropped to just over 2 million. Website hits rose to 1.4million in 2010-11 from 478,406 hits in 2006-07.

ERL information services manager Paul Burden said this was because website redevelopments now featured e-resources and online learning for children.

E-books have been available on the ERL website since June last year and there have been 14,000 checkouts in that time.

Mr Burden said those numbers were rapidly increasing, with 2800 books checked out during February, and a spike in rentals just after Christmas last year.

Mr Burden said ERL had about 7000 electronic titles available, including e-books and audio books.

But Amazon Kindles cannot use the ERL software yet because of copyright problems with the e-book platform Overdrive. “There’s an 82-year-old lady in a retirement village who keeps asking when they’re going to be compatible because she has a Kindle she wants to use,” Mr Burden said.

Knoxfield bookworm Annette Schlafrig, 57, reads ERL e-books on her Netbook. Ms Schlafrig said the books were especially suited to older readers because they could change the font size.

“E-books have also been great for me while I’ve had a broken arm. I’ve read book after book but haven’t actually borrowed any physical books.”

Knox residents can learn how to use these new devices at a ‘technology petting zoo’ lined up at ERL branches.

Details: erl.vic.gov.au.

First Edition Design eBook Publishing

Oxford Library eBook Revolution #ebooks #author #writer #library

Leave a reply

By Laura Jones   www.oxfordtimes.co.uk

 

“If it means more books are available to more people then I think that’s a good thing.”– Oxford author Philip Pullman

OXFORD is world famous for its ancient books and iconic libraries.

But now the city could be on the brink of a literary revolution after library bosses added electronic books to their collections.

Although Oxfordshire County Council’s decision has been welcomed by some, others have raised concerns libraries could suffer as a result.

An array of 1,558 fiction and non-fiction titles are on offer and can be downloaded for free by library users.

Oxford author Philip Pullman last night gave the scheme a cautious welcome. The His Dark Materials author said: “If it means more books are available to more people then I think that’s a good thing.”

But voicing his fears about the impact of eBooks on publishing, he added: “It’s something that authors, publishers and agents are very worried about at the moment.

“The whole question is very, very tangled.”

Talking of the potential reduction in publishing royalties, Mr Pullman said: “I see absolutely no reason why we should give up part of our income because someone has found a new way to provide books.”

The Society of Authors has warned of the difficulties facing writers with the digital revolution gathering pace as publishers negotiate more heavily on royalties.

Borrowers have to add library software to their eReader devices, such as Kindles and iPads, before they can access the new service. Books can then be borrowed for up to 21 days.

Last year, the county council announced plans to axe funding from 20 out of 43 library branches.

Public pressure forced it to rethink its plan and all remained open, with many requiring varying levels of volunteer support.

But Mr Pullman said unless the council maintained its commitment to libraries the eBooks move “could be a way of spending less money on library services”.

He said: “If you don’t need a building and any staff it may be a way of saving money.

“Many people have said about libraries it’s not just about books it’s much, much more than that.

“The library is a place as well as a service. It’s an important place for people to go to meet, browse the shelves, read and do homework.”

More than 150 eBooks have been borrowed by readers using their library card number and a PIN code since the scheme launched on February 20.

Once their time is up the books disappear from devices, meaning the end of overdue book fines for forgetful borrowers. Readers can renew titles, but will not be able to do so if someone else has already logged a request to borrow them.

A council spokesman said: “Like in many other local authorities, there was a growing demand from the public for this service.

“It was only launched here in Oxfordshire a few days ago, how-ever there has already been some keen interest which we would expect to grow over the coming days, weeks and months, allowing us to reach out to more customers. “We plan to expand on the number of titles available to ensure people can benefit from as wide a choice as possible.”

Marcus Ferrar, the chairman of the Friends of Summertown Library, said that the new scheme was good news for Oxfordshire. He said: “I think the council is absolutely right to move with the times. If people prefer to read on Kindle or iPad then it’s great that’s available to them.”

Mark Thornton, of Mostly Books, Abingdon, said: “My instinct is it won’t damage independent booksellers – eBooks in general are impacting on booksellers, but the library allowing lending is a good thing.”

 First Edition Design Publishing

www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.co.uk

#             #             #

FEDEP teams with EBSCO #eBooks #library #author

First Edition Design Publishing submits fiction, non-fiction, and academic eBooks to EBSCO. 

In addition to its unequaled array of ebook distribution points , FEDEP (First Edition Design eBook Publishing) will now also submit eBooks, including fiction, non-fiction, academic and poetry to EBSCO (Elton B. Stephens Company).

“We are honored to be associated with such an outstanding company,” said Deborah E. Gordon, CEO of First Edition Design Publishing. “This rounds out our academic distribution and makes our eBooks available to millions of additional end users of EBSCO’s content services through library and educational systems. We look forward to working with them.”

EBSCO is the leading database and eBook provider for libraries and other institutions with more than 375 full-text and secondary research First Edition Design Publishingdatabases and more than 300,000 eBooks and audiobooks available via the EBSCOhost platform. EBSCO provides unparalleled access to world-renowned content in all subject areas including magazine and journal articles available via EBSCOhost® and H.W. Wilson, eBooks and audiobooks and Digital Archives. EBSCO’s content services the research needs of tens of thousands of customers representing millions of end users from K-12 students to public library patrons, from academic, corporate and medical researchers to clinicians and governments around the world.

In March 2011, EBSCO’s president Tim Collins said, “A big part of what we’re doing right now is our work behind the scenes that will culminate in releasing ebooks and audiobooks for delivery via EBSCOhost. We have a very robust plan to expand our ebook offerings over time.” (source:  InformationToday.com March 2011)

EBSCOhost, stands as one of the most-used for-fee sites on the Internet serving upwards of 100 million daily page views. EBSCO’s NoveList division provides Readers’ Advisory and Library Services Resources — a variety of services to help empower libraries, engage readers and connect communities.

EBSCO is headquartered in Ipswich, MA, USA and has offices in: the UK, Australia, Japan, Germany, Africa,   India, and the Czech Republic.

FEDEP http:www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com, based in Sarasota, Florida, USA leads the industry in eBook distribution. They convert, format and submit eBooks to Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Google, Kobo, Diesel, 3M, Ingram, Baker and Taylor, Nielsen, scores of additional on-line retailers and libraries, schools, colleges and universities. Their reach is to over 100,000 distribution points in more than 100 countries. The company also has a POD (Print On Demand) division, which creates printed books and makes the available worldwide through their distribution network.

#     #     #