(Sweden) Elib is uppgrading

owly · 02-05-2015, 04:12 AM

Elib (Swedens dominating company for library e-book lending) is going through a major revamp with a completely redesigned website for the libraries, the right to listen to audiobooks on tablets and smartphones and the ability to read ebooks in a separate browser window (few text settings but no need to muck around with Adobe). This has been a long time coming and although it's not completely bug-free it's MUCH better than the old version.

patrik · 02-05-2015, 07:04 AM

What do you think is better?

Two major differences I have found:

There is no way to know if the ebook is epub or pdf before you borrow.
There is no way to list new ebooks (the "new" is a mix of ebooks and audio books).

sadowski · 02-05-2015, 08:32 AM

It is likely not better for the patrons since the new library loan model is decentralized:

libraries can be more selective--potentially fewer books and localized portfolios (depending on your local library)
less transparent about new editions and when you can expect them at your library
no single place to search books, now you have to go to all the resellers individually to see whether a book is available as ebook

It is understandable from an economic point of view. We were in paradise in the first years--all ebooks available for library loan for everybody and unlimited copies available (no waiting times).

And: I do not want to read books in a browser via a permanent network connection.

owly · 02-06-2015, 06:23 AM

What's new: for audio books, download an app with flash (Puffin works for Android and IOS) and you're now allowed to listen to them on a tablet or smartphone.
When you log in you see a list of what you have borrowed. You can download an ebook multiple times during you load period so no more duplicate borrowing because you erased you ebook by accident. That you can read directly in the browser is good for quick reads and really helpful for demonstrating e-books to newbies. Not having to scare away people with the long process of Adobe registration and app downloading is a bonus. From the library's perspective that we now have control over the catalog means that we can weed out one-page recipies, crappy erotica and stuff that can be found for free on other websites.

I do agree that I'd like to see WHAT type of file I'm loading down. Maybe Elib figures that with so many using smartphones and tablets most people don't care.

02-05-2015, 04:12 AM	#1
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	(Sweden) Elib is uppgrading Elib (Swedens dominating company for library e-book lending) is going through a major revamp with a completely redesigned website for the libraries, the right to listen to audiobooks on tablets and smartphones and the ability to read ebooks in a separate browser window (few text settings but no need to muck around with Adobe). This has been a long time coming and although it's not completely bug-free it's MUCH better than the old version.

02-05-2015, 08:32 AM	#3
sadowski Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 1142796 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony PRS 350, Kobo mini, PB mini	It is likely not better for the patrons since the new library loan model is decentralized: libraries can be more selective--potentially fewer books and localized portfolios (depending on your local library) less transparent about new editions and when you can expect them at your library no single place to search books, now you have to go to all the resellers individually to see whether a book is available as ebook It is understandable from an economic point of view. We were in paradise in the first years--all ebooks available for library loan for everybody and unlimited copies available (no waiting times). And: I do not want to read books in a browser via a permanent network connection.

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02-05-2015, 07:04 AM	#2
patrik Guru Posts: 653 Karma: 4568205 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Forma	What do you think is better? Two major differences I have found: There is no way to know if the ebook is epub or pdf before you borrow. There is no way to list new ebooks (the "new" is a mix of ebooks and audio books).

02-06-2015, 06:23 AM	#4
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	What's new: for audio books, download an app with flash (Puffin works for Android and IOS) and you're now allowed to listen to them on a tablet or smartphone. When you log in you see a list of what you have borrowed. You can download an ebook multiple times during you load period so no more duplicate borrowing because you erased you ebook by accident. That you can read directly in the browser is good for quick reads and really helpful for demonstrating e-books to newbies. Not having to scare away people with the long process of Adobe registration and app downloading is a bonus. From the library's perspective that we now have control over the catalog means that we can weed out one-page recipies, crappy erotica and stuff that can be found for free on other websites. I do agree that I'd like to see WHAT type of file I'm loading down. Maybe Elib figures that with so many using smartphones and tablets most people don't care.