[Web4lib] Request for info: Libraries that are circulating e-book readers

Brian Gray mindspiral at gmail.com
Mon Jun 21 21:50:50 EDT 2010


Some libraries do not loan out e-readers as a tool to access books
specifically, but rather as a service to allow their patrons to experience
and experiment with the technology. Other libraries are using e-readers as a
device to deliver interlibrary loan requests (or patron driven
e-acquisitions). It seems like the niche uses or user groups do have
benefits.

Brian Gray
mindspiral at gmail.com
bcg8 at case.edu


On Mon, Jun 21, 2010 at 9:23 PM, Tim Spalding <tim at librarything.com> wrote:

> Loaning out ereaders is a losing game. Real-world books have a
> problem. When you take one out of the library, one is out. But loaning
> out ereaders is far worse. When you take one out of the library, every
> book on the device is out. It's sounds modern, but it's really a big
> step back, like chaining books to their shelves. It's like the
> limitations of the physical world, times 200.
>
> Loaning out ereaders is cute, but not sustainable financially or
> organizationally. The real future is clear. You will pay through the
> nose for a true ebook lending right.
>
> Tim
>
> On Mon, Jun 21, 2010 at 8:56 PM, Robert Balliot <rballiot at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > The new tablet technology is knocking the price down on the e-book
> readers.
> > It is a great time to wait and see how the price will bottom out:
> >
> >
> http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/21/technology/nook_price_cut/index.htm?hpt=T2
> >
> > R. Balliot
>
>
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