Libraries Moving Toward eBook Ownership

[tubemonkey]

Thinking outside the box will help libraries survive the loss of big name publishers. What Califa and Douglas County are doing is a step in the right direction.

The largest library network in California is going to adopt the pioneering ebook business model of Colorado’s Douglas County Libraries, which allows libraries to truly own, not rent, their ebooks.

The San Mateo-based Califa Group, which brokers services and products for 220 multi-type library systems (1000 buildings), has seeded the project with about $30,000 and will purchase ebook files directly from publishers as well as an Adobe Content Server to manage the digital files.

“We want to be part of the solution,” said Heather Teysko, Califa’s project manager. “We don’t want to be reliant on vendors, on leasing materials from a platform. We want to have ownership,” she said.

[anamardoll]

I... are they not aware that it's the publishers, not the vendors who are trying to shut libraries down?

[tubemonkey]

I'd say it's some of both.

That aside, libraries need to look to alternative sources for ebooks - small publishers, local authors, unknown authors, etc.

[elemenoP]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

I... are they not aware that it's the publishers, not the vendors who are trying to shut libraries down?

It's true, this seems to imply that the publishers are GOING to sell to libraries directly, but that remains to be seen!

However, the vendor (singular) is also a problem. I understand that my beloved Overdrive has been increasing their fees tremendously of late. If Overdrive is a monopoly in the ebook library lending business, that can't be good. So I'm all for alternatives. However, if a library has already spent half a million or so in ebook licenses with Overdrive, would the licenses transfer to another company or to a "direct" model like this? I'm thinking probably not!

eP

[abookreader]

I think public libraries are going to have to move toward a model of only buying eBooks where they are granted ownership rights. Yes, it will mean listings of obscure eBooks from non-major publishing sources and not bestsellers.

It is one thing for me to "buy" a book knowing that I can take that DRM off within seconds and if not technically own my book, at least know that I will have a readable copy for as long as I choose to keep my readable copy .... no matter what all their technical blathering dictates. Libraries don't have that option.

It is just way too tenuous of a situation currently to ask libraries to put millions of dollars into a collection which can be pulled away from them at will - especially given some recent Publisher shenanigans of trying to pull previous purchases away from libraries.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

It's true, this seems to imply that the publishers are GOING to sell to libraries directly, but that remains to be seen!

Some are. See the article.

The bottom line for libraries is to forget about the Big Six and move on. There are other pastures out there with lots of potential.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by abookreader

I think public libraries are going to have to move toward a model of only buying eBooks where they are granted ownership rights. Yes, it will mean listings of obscure eBooks from non-major publishing sources and not bestsellers.

Once the publishers realize they've lost a revenue stream they will try to work out how to get it back. Right now it's just a cash grab for the publishers and I don't blame them, in a captial market they are only there to make money for their shareholders. Libraries moving away from them only shrinks their bottom line.

[Kumabjorn]

What is stopping a library from scanning and OCRing a copy of books they have already purchased?

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

What is stopping a library from scanning and OCRing a copy of books they have already purchased?

The fact that distributing those scanned eBooks would be copyright violation?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

However, the vendor (singular) is also a problem. I understand that my beloved Overdrive has been increasing their fees tremendously of late.

A single vendor is generally a problem in most things.

On the fee increases though from what I've read they've been imposed on libraries that have had 100's of percent increases in usage since the initial fees were set up, which of course increases OD's DRM fees and stuff so I wonder if these increased fees are excessive or if they're kind of 'catching up' to usage?

[Kumabjorn]

Why would that be a copyright violation? Libraries own the books with the intent of lending them to the genreal public.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'd say it's some of both.

That aside, libraries need to look to alternative sources for ebooks - small publishers, local authors, unknown authors, etc.

Yup.

Our local non-government funded library is looking to use lender readers. Fill them with author freebies and discounted books and cheaper indy publications. If the book was bought for that reader the publishers can do NADA about this approach.

Over time readers will probably gravitate towards authors with a day job who don't want ten bucks or more for a book. Reading is not in danger, just maintaining the high cost the paper infrastructure required.

[SleepyBob]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Why would that be a copyright violation? Libraries own the books with the intent of lending them to the genreal public.

Because owning a copy of a book does not give me rights to distribute electronic copies of it. Copyright has an exception to allow me to make a copy for my personal backup. It doesn't give me the right to share that copy.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

On the fee increases though from what I've read they've been imposed on libraries that have had 100's of percent increases in usage since the initial fees were set up, which of course increases OD's DRM fees and stuff so I wonder if these increased fees are excessive or if they're kind of 'catching up' to usage?

A great reason to buy the books outright. Cut the middleman out.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Phogg

Our local non-government funded library is looking to use lender readers. Fill them with author freebies and discounted books and cheaper indy publications. Kf the book was bought for that reader the publishers can do NADA about this approach.

I like that. That's the kind of innovation that will help libraries survive.