New OverDrive venture: buy eBooks and support libraries

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Librarians probably want to have a say in what goes on the shelves. As much as I would like to influence circulating content as well, librarians are hired and trained to shape the collection based on community standards, interests and needs. So, I understand why they may insist on final say.

I can't imagine it would be that difficult though for Overdrive to put a "Buy this book for your library" button on each title, allow you to choose your library and give a credit card number, but give the library the option to refuse the donation. If the library refuses the donation, your card isn't charged, and you would be notified via email one way or the other. They could even take it a step further and have it go into the library's database with a hold on it so you could be the first one to check it out. I would certainly donate regularly to a system similar to this!

[SensualPoet]

I suspect it's a little more complicated than you think but I like the idea.

The biggest obstacle to overcome is that most libraries have very little focus on ebooks and how to manage this growing way to serve patrons. It's a tremendously huge missed opportunity.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

I suspect it's a little more complicated than you think but I like the idea.

The biggest obstacle to overcome is that most libraries have very little focus on ebooks and how to manage this growing way to serve patrons. It's a tremendously huge missed opportunity.

I think e-books are great, but it's hard for many libraries to afford them, especially when they still have to buy print books for most readers. If they buy a title in digital form, they probably still have to buy it in print, because most people don't have e-reading devices yet.

Money is tight. Libraries in many areas are cutting hours now, because their funding is being reduced. Property and retail tax collections, which often support libraries, have fallen dramatically with the crummy economy.

[SensualPoet]

Yes, although e-books don't take up a lot of shelf space or require hordes of employees to shuffle them from one shelf to another, or one branch to another. And there's no need to cut hours on e-book lending.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Yes, although e-books don't take up a lot of shelf space or require hordes of employees to shuffle them from one shelf to another, or one branch to another. And there's no need to cut hours on e-book lending.

Yes, I agree. I think it will take time for libraries to transition. They're trying to balance as tech progresses and more people get e-readers.

[Fbone]

Libraries serve the underprivileged first. A person with a home computer and ereader probably does not fit that profile. With the budget cuts they are trying to save computer access to the public. Online databases and interlibrary loans are next priorities.

In my state all internet access is provided by state funding and grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation provided a grant for 2011 fiscal year but the State reduced their funding by 60%. Cuts will be made and announced in August.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Libraries serve the underprivileged first. A person with a home computer and ereader probably does not fit that profile. With the budget cuts they are trying to save computer access to the public. Online databases and interlibrary loans are next priorities.

In my state all internet access is provided by state funding and grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation provided a grant for 2011 fiscal year but the State reduced their funding by 60%. Cuts will be made and announced in August.

Yes, we're on the same page. Libraries will try to balance with some e-reading, because that's where things are headed longer term. They also have to offer the middle class and higher taxpayers a direct reason to support libraries. Reality is, many taxpayers don't want to pay for services they don't use. Library use actually benefits all of society, but people generally are motivated by self-interest most.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Yes, we're on the same page. Libraries will try to balance with some e-reading, because that's where things are headed longer term. They also have to offer the middle class and higher taxpayers a direct reason to support libraries. Reality is, many taxpayers don't want to pay for services they don't use. Library use actually benefits all of society, but people generally are motivated by self-interest most.

I agree. Libraries provide benefits not always apparent.

One concern I have is that my library seems to purchase all the latest movie DVDs. This appeals to the masses and will probably be continued to the detriment of other resources.

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Libraries serve the underprivileged first. A person with a home computer and ereader probably does not fit that profile. With the budget cuts they are trying to save computer access to the public. Online databases and interlibrary loans are next priorities.

Yes, but that's not all they serve. Governments (and libraries) have various constituencies to serve. US governments provide tax relief to mortgage holders. It could be argued that tax relief should go directly to renters -- people who can't afford to buy their own homes -- ie. serving the underprivileged first.

I believe there is room for libraries to embrace ebooks, reaching more patrons and at significantly lower cost -- overhead, maintenance, replacement.