MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Rant: The fragmentation of public libraries

murraypaul · 11-24-2018, 06:49 AM

The libraries get to choose which provider they use.
I assume the other providers are cheaper and/or offer extra functionality (like video lending) that OverDrive doesn't.
I don't think the libraries are intentionally driving patrons away. But that is the impact of the choices they are making.
I think a large part of it is that dedicated readers are seen as the past. As long as the new provider works on phones and tablets, what is the problem?
Edit: Especially as in the UK, libraries have never supported[1] the most popular eInk reader, the Kindle, so how big is the loss in not supporting the other ones?

1: Or Kindle have never supported libraries, depending on your point of view

11-24-2018, 06:49 AM	#3
murraypaul Interested Bystander Posts: 3,726 Karma: 19728152 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Note 4, Kobo One	The libraries get to choose which provider they use. I assume the other providers are cheaper and/or offer extra functionality (like video lending) that OverDrive doesn't. I don't think the libraries are intentionally driving patrons away. But that is the impact of the choices they are making. I think a large part of it is that dedicated readers are seen as the past. As long as the new provider works on phones and tablets, what is the problem? Edit: Especially as in the UK, libraries have never supported[1] the most popular eInk reader, the Kindle, so how big is the loss in not supporting the other ones? 1: Or Kindle have never supported libraries, depending on your point of view Last edited by murraypaul; 11-24-2018 at 07:52 AM.