All Digital Library Now Open to the Public

[tubemonkey]

Nation's first bookless public library system opens

The nation’s first all-digital, book-free public library system has opened in San Antonio, with patrons lining up to peruse on online catalog on Apple touch screen computers and check out books on e-readers.

Library mavens from across the U.S. and from as far away as Hong Kong came to view the library this week, according to an Associated Press report.

The Bexar County Digital Library, also known as BiblioTech, is located in south San Antonio and is the only public library operated by the county government. (The city of San Antonio, located within Bexar County, operates its own system). It was built with $1.9 million in county tax money and $500,000 in private donations. Time magazine said it “looks like an orange-hued Apple store and is stocked with 10,000 e-books, 500 e-readers, 48 computers, and 20 iPads and laptops.”

What struck me most about this new library, was its catalog - its very small. Only 10,000 ebooks and 400 audiobooks. That's not much for a large county library. Hopefully, they'll expand their collection. What's noticably missing is OverDrive. Instead, they're using 3M Cloud Library for ebooks, OneClick Digital for audiobooks, and Zinio for magazines. Checkout limit is five books. eBooks can be kept for 14 days, audiobooks for 10 days, and magazines have no time limits.

In addition to its digital collection, they also have - 48 computer stations, 10 laptops, 600 ereaders, and 40 tablets. The ereaders can be checked out for 14 days.

This is the future and more of these libraries are sure to pop up.

[Lynx-lynx]

That's very interesting

As you say they've so far chosen not to go with Overdrive, and have very few ebooks. But, it's a start!!

Any mention of on-line only access to the catalogue?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Any mention of on-line only access to the catalogue?

I'm not following you

[Lynx-lynx]

Ahh the word 'remote' might help

Any mention of on-line remote access?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Ahh the word 'remote' might help

Any mention of on-line remote access?

You can access the collection from anywhere. The onsite devices and internet access are for those who otherwise don't have them.

My idea of a digital library is a room with a bank of servers

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

What's noticably missing is OverDrive. Instead, they're using 3M Cloud Library for ebooks, OneClick Digital for audiobooks, and Zinio for magazines.

Aren't all three of those entirely cloud-based services? I've been fearing that things are heading this way (since I don't choose to go wireless much).

[Tarana]

I think this is great for residents. I am envious. My library has many ebooks, but not a single cookbook.

I'm sure they will add titles as funds become available. My county library started with 6,000 ebooks and I don't know how many audiobooks. They seem to always have new ones, but mostly, I'm happy to say, more sci fi than they used to get in paper form.

[Barbara1955]

Well I signed up! Was Free! But now that I found a book it wants to Text me.... so now I am Lost????

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Katie1

Well I signed up! Was Free! But now that I found a book it wants to Text me.... so now I am Lost????

How did you do that? Registration is limited to residents of Bexar County, Texas.

Who can register for a BiblioTech library card?

​Residents and taxpayers of Bexar County, Texas are eligible to register for a library card. If you live or own property in Bexar County, you an access the collection for free. We are currently in the process of creating a policy to extend access to patrons outside of Bexar County for an annual fee. Please subscribe to our website (the subscribe button is located in the top left corner) to receive updates about the BiblioTech.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

Aren't all three of those entirely cloud-based services? I've been fearing that things are heading this way (since I don't choose to go wireless much).

They are, and so is OverDrive. The collection is downloadable, just like libraries that use OverDrive. This library just happens to use 3M and OneClick instead.

I wouldn't worry about it. There's plenty of room for both types of libraries - traditional and all-digital.

[Barbara1955]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

How did you do that? Registration is limited to residents of Bexar County, Texas.

It asked me if I wanted to sign up I followed the instruction & did. I also found out how to Download Directly to my Fire HD. BTW I Live in WV.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I think this is great for residents. I am envious. My library has many ebooks, but not a single cookbook.

I'm sure they will add titles as funds become available. My county library started with 6,000 ebooks and I don't know how many audiobooks. They seem to always have new ones, but mostly, I'm happy to say, more sci fi than they used to get in paper form.

No cookbooks? Wow! You have one of the largest digital collections in the country. Does Hennepin allow reciprocal borrowing with other libraries?

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

How did you do that? Registration is limited to residents of Bexar County, Texas.

Apparently, the website allows non-residents to sign-up. I did with no problems. It allowed me to check-out a book and check it back in.

I'm sure this will be corrected soon.

Edit: Just so that I'm clear. This was a test and I won't use the library.

[freebiefan1]

I will sign up, thanks.

[John F]

Huh?

[QUOTEThe nation’s first all-digital, book-free public library system has opened in San Antonio, with patrons lining up to peruse on online catalog on Apple touch screen computers and check out books on e-readers.][/QUOTE]

If they are "book-free" (I assume that means no books), how can they check out books?