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

Tue Jun 22 11:03:02 EDT 2010

There are (somewhat effective) ways to lock computers down and from my experience in a mixed-marriage (Sony and Kindle), readers are certainly not maintenance-free, but the truth is I'm not a big fan of lending devices.

Tim Spalding pretty much summed up the case against the pre-loaded device.   And if you're mostly doing this to prove that libraries can do it, how many proofs of concept do you need? Libraries were using Kindle's family sharing system within weeks of the Kindle's introduction. It's been done, it can be done.

Each library needs to decide now if it's a cost-effective way to provide service.  Most people don't seem to find them an acceptable substitute for audio books, and even at $149/device you're going to be hard-pressed to serve more than a tiny fraction of your customer base, particularly if you can't use your existing online subscriptions and if, as expected, the price of books for e-readers moves back a bit closer to the print price.  I can conceive of situations where lending readers would be a good decision, but I can't think of too many.

      - Jim Campbell

      Digital Access Librarian | Librarian for German
      University of Virginia Library | Charlottesville, VA 22904-4112

      513 Alderman | campbell at virginia.edu | 434-924-4985

From: Robert Balliot [mailto:rballiot at gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 10:39 AM
To: Campbell, James (jmc)
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Request for info: Libraries that are circulatinge-book readers

That sounds like a great idea.  My concern about netbooks would be the cost of maintenance.  A netbook is certainly much more versatile right off the bat. However, that same versatility means they are much more susceptible to hacking / misuse / file corruption.  I think you want loaned out devices / media to be somewhat more self-sustaining and fool-proof.  I don't think I ever got a call from someone who did not know how to open a book.

Although the vetted clientele at places such as the University of Virginia might be inclined towards tom-foolery<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Virginia> , the fool-proof concern is especially applicable to public libraries.

R. Balliot
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com<http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/>

On Tue, Jun 22, 2010 at 10:05 AM, Campbell, James (jmc) <jmc at virginia.edu<mailto:jmc at virginia.edu>> wrote:
Well, the time to try is now.  B&N is releasing a new version of the Nook, WiFi but no 3G, for $149.
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=37510

But if you really want to provide home access to information for your customers, why not just lend them netbooks? You can get something pretty decent for a little over $200 that would meet criteria 1-3 plus your customers could actually use it with your "on-line library subscriptions to electronic books."  I think it will be a while before ebrary, etc can make titles available on dedicated readers.  They'd have to renegotiate a lot of deals with publishers for one thing.

     - Jim Campbell

     Digital Access Librarian | Librarian for German
     University of Virginia Library | Charlottesville, VA 22904-4112

     513 Alderman | campbell at virginia.edu<mailto:campbell at virginia.edu> | 434-924-4985

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org<mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org<mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org>] On Behalf Of Robert L. Balliot
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 9:03 AM
To: 'Tim Spalding'; web4lib at webjunction.org<mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org>
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Request for info: Libraries that are circulatinge-book readers

When the unit price goes down to something like $150, then I think there is
some real cost/benefit potential. I was not very comfortable with a
$400-$500 unit cost for new technology.  If you are able to purchase 20
e-book readers for $3000, you can provide benefits to the public with:

1. Visual accessibility -  These devices include a voice reader function so
people with visual problems can receive library materials.

2. Government document PDF accessibility - A device could include a huge
amount of local / state / federal information that would be portable.

3. A demonstration of the ability of the library to accommodate newer
technology.

4. Better use/ promotion of on-line library subscriptions to electronic
books - Electronic books for people without computer access are inaccessible
- it would level the playing field and make the subscriptions more valuable.

These are just a few off the top of my head.  But, I could imagine that a
grant based around number 1 could be devised to bring the local cost to
zero, with tangible benefits.

It seems that this could be an excellent group project to define the
cost/benefits to libraries for a nice tightly written $3K grant proposal to
provide accessibility to library materials.

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org<mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org>
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org<mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org>] On Behalf Of Tim Spalding
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 9:23 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org<mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org>
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Request for info: Libraries that are
circulatinge-book readers

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<mailto: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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