[Web4lib] Circulating Kindle and Nooks

[Tim Spalding]

Dear Chris,

I think your approach is novel, and well thought-out. I have two reactions.

## Technical: I wonder if you might make it even easier. Some
questions, for you and for other tech people with more experience in
both Overdrive and Nook systems:

1. Can you put all the Overdrive books into your OPAC, either directly
or as buttons on some records? Having them on a separate website just
reinforces the "distance."
2. Can Nook content-loading be partially or fully automated? I'm
thinking the user clicks the "Load onto a Nook!" button in the OPAC
and ten minutes later it's waiting at the front desk.

## Philosophical: In my opinion, these are all feeding the beast. In
and of itself, these arguments can seem self-serving, but libraries
need to stand up against ereaders.

The problem isn't the medium—which is wonderful—but the completely
different legal context. Ebooks are controlled, both legally and
through DRM, which means publishers can finally restrict the very
thing created and sustains libraries. I am speaking about the rights
of ownership and first-sale, by which a library buys a book once, like
a consumer, but gets a lot more value out of it by organizing to have
many people read it. In short, ebooks undermine the very thing that
brought libraries into existence. Ebooks also threaten other core
library values, like reader privacy. A few years ago librarians went
crazy over proportionally small threats to patron privacy. Now they're
endorsing a small set of companies that know every book you've bought,
every page you've read, every note you've written and have your
address and credit card too.

So, maybe the answer is for librarians to stand up and demand ebooks
that change the medium, not the rights.

Tim

On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 8:12 PM, Chris (CE) <crippel at ckls.org> wrote:
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> I doubt libraries can afford to buy expensive e-reading devices for every
> reader who may want to use these devices in the future.
>
> Providing content to owners of e-reading devices is a more affordable future
> for libraries.
>
> Circulating Kindles teaches using and encourages buying devices that exclude
> libraries from providing content to e-reading devices.
>
> This ultimately weakens patrons' connection with libraries.
>
> Surely it is better to teach patrons to use and encourage them to buy
> devices that would continue, if not strengthen, our relationships with
> readers.
>
> I would like you opinion of the following idea doing this.
>
> Step 1. The library posts the following flyer.
>
> "TRY ONE OF OUR READING NOOKS
>
> "Kansas libraries have a collection of Overdrive e-books. Overdrive e-books
> can be read on regular computers, but reading them on Nooks and Sony Readers
> is more comfortable and fun.
>
> "We will set you down at a computer to let you select up to 10 books. We
> will put the books on one of our Nooks or Sony Readers. The device will be
> checked out to you for three weeks. You will go home with the device and a
> set of instructions on using it to read your selection.
>
> "Valid library card and signing a user’s agreement are required. Check it
> out."
>
> Step 2. Patrons wanting to try a reading Nook are set down in front of a
> computer logged into Overdrive's Web site. Library staff instruct patrons to
> add up to 10 e-books to "my cart."
>
> When patrons are finished, library staff loads the selected e-books into the
> Nook or Sony Reader and checks the device out to the patron along with
> instructions on how to use the device to read the e-books.
>
> The e-books expire and the device needs to be returned at the same time,
> e.g., three weeks.
>
> This process may be repeated for the patron one or two more times.
>
> Step 3. After library staff do the Overdrive check out for one or two times,
> library staff then teaches patrons to do their own Overdrive checkout.
>
> I have illustrated, step-by-step instructions for putting Overdrive e-books
> into Nooks at
> http://ebooksinlibraries.blogspot.com/2010/04/getting-free-content-into-your-nook.html
>
> Patrons are allowed to do this once or twice then the device is given to
> another patron wanting to try the device.
>
> What problems do you think you see with this idea?
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Chris Rippel
> Central Kansas Library System
> 1409 Williams
> Great Bend, Kansas 67530
> 620-792-4865 (voice)
> 620-792-5495 (fax)
> crippel at ckls dot org
> http://ceprojects.blogspot.com
> http://creatingreaderfriendlylibraries.blogspot.com
> http://publiclibraryshelftalkers.blogspot.com
>
> Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably
> will themselves not be realized. ~ Daniel Burnbam, Architect for Plan of
> Chicago, 1909
>
> The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable,
> to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and
> lived well. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
>
>
>
>
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