Invitation from Library

bjones6416 · 09-10-2010, 02:22 PM

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System just began offering Overdrive services a few weeks ago. I've been actively checking out books, and have requested that they buy a few titles also. I (along with a few other addressees) got this e-mail this morning from the Electronic Resources Librarian:

Quote:

Would anyone like to speak 2-5 minutes to Library staff regarding how you like the addition of Overdrive or any library service? What your hopes are for this service, etc. In keeping with the theme, Our Libraries Change Lives, we are inviting our customers to take part in Staff Development Day on Monday, October 11, 2010. The program will take place downtown at the Central library and it would be in the morning and I will give participants the logistics.

I haven't decided whether I'm going to do it or not, or even if I'm available that day. I'm considering it, though, and wondered if any of you have any thoughts on what I might say or suggest?

SaraD · 09-10-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjones6416

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System just began offering Overdrive services a few weeks ago. I've been actively checking out books, and have requested that they buy a few titles also. I (along with a few other addressees) got this e-mail this morning from the Electronic Resources Librarian:

I haven't decided whether I'm going to do it or not, or even if I'm available that day. I'm considering it, though, and wondered if any of you have any thoughts on what I might say or suggest?

I live on the opposite diagnal part of the country from you in Spokane, WA so what I'm suggesting may not really apply. Please go to show visible support of e-books and that your public library is trying something new. Having the staff and hopefully management see a real live body who uses the new system and likes it I believe will help your Electronic Resources Librarian further his/her cause to continue investment in e-books for lending more than just a report on the numbers of checkouts, etc. My local library is pushing its website as providing 24/7 access to information. I like to push the convienence factor of e-books back to them as not requring me to go to the library with a fussy toddler and how the library can have hundreds or more new books without a concern for how to store them.

Hope those ideas help.

grooks · 09-10-2010, 03:33 PM

Mention that the preferred format for ebooks is ePub. If they find that certain patrons like reading PDF, ask the library if it is feasible to carry both formats for a particular book. ePub books are much easier to read on the most common 5" and 6" devices.

ProfCrash · 09-10-2010, 03:39 PM

Mention to them that more Americans have Kindle's and would check out e-books if they used a format readable on the Kindle.

mopping five · 09-10-2010, 05:19 PM

ProfCrash, can you give me a link for that information? My google-fu isn't good enough for me to find any good numbers there.

bjones6416 · 09-10-2010, 05:29 PM

Please please please, y'all don't turn this into a nook vs. kindle thread! We've got plenty of those elsewhere.

I just wanted to open a discussion about what we want from libraries, that's all. Really.

FizzyWater · 09-10-2010, 06:15 PM

One thing I would suggest, if you do decide to participate, is to mention the problem that libraries seem to have when choosing which ebooks to buy. There are four different series I started with library books, but one of the books in the series (or more) isn't available. There's one series of four books that my library has books 1, 3, and 4. Very frustrating.

Fbone · 09-10-2010, 08:09 PM

Also, you can see if they know the particulars about why Macmillan and Simon & Schuster dont permit library lending of their books.

ProfCrash · 09-10-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Please please please, y'all don't turn this into a nook vs. kindle thread! We've got plenty of those elsewhere.

I just wanted to open a discussion about what we want from libraries, that's all. Really.

Sorry, not trying to do that but it is a legitimate point. Even if it is a 50-50 split between Kindle and Nook, that is 50% of the market not being reached by libraries.

Amazon does not sales figures so the numbers of Kindle sold is not known. It has been said in many places, none that I can cite because I don't have them memorized, that Amazon has 70% of the e-book market, possibly more. Bezos said the vast majority of Kindle book purchases have been for Kindles and not Kindle apps, I am guessing they can track what devices books are downloaded on. This leads me to believe that the majority of Americans have Kindles. It could be faulty logic, it is a Friday after all.

JSWolf · 09-10-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjones6416

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System just began offering Overdrive services a few weeks ago. I've been actively checking out books, and have requested that they buy a few titles also. I (along with a few other addressees) got this e-mail this morning from the Electronic Resources Librarian:

I haven't decided whether I'm going to do it or not, or even if I'm available that day. I'm considering it, though, and wondered if any of you have any thoughts on what I might say or suggest?

I would go if I could. Overdrive at libraries is a very valuable resource and worth letting the staff know so.

JSWolf · 09-10-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

Mention that the preferred format for ebooks is ePub. If they find that certain patrons like reading PDF, ask the library if it is feasible to carry both formats for a particular book. ePub books are much easier to read on the most common 5" and 6" devices.

Tell the staff that PDF and ePub do require the same exact program for viewing on a computer and that ePub is better for portable readers and that given that ADE is needed on a computer for PDF and ePub, it makes no sense to order PDF when there is an ePub available.

JSWolf · 09-10-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Mention to them that more Americans have Kindle's and would check out e-books if they used a format readable on the Kindle.

Won't work. The DRM used for Mobipocket eBooks is not compatible with the Kindles. Most libraries these days do not order Mobipocket. They order ePub and some PDF. But mostly it's ePub. The Kindle is a terrible choice for a reader if one of your main uses is library eBooks.

tselling · 09-10-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Mention to them that more Americans have Kindle's and would check out e-books if they used a format readable on the Kindle.

Amazon deliberately made their mobi DRM different enough that there really isn't a format the libraries could carry. My guess is Amazon doesn't want kindle users checking out library books since they wouldn't be buying books then.

JSWolf · 09-10-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Please please please, y'all don't turn this into a nook vs. kindle thread! We've got plenty of those elsewhere.

I just wanted to open a discussion about what we want from libraries, that's all. Really.

One thing I know would be very useful is to have a request form in the Overdrive section. I've found that the request forms do not always go to the right person who knows about eBooks. And then you sit back and wait and wait not knowing if the request is going to be placed or not. Also the request form is setup more for paper books then eBooks. And the major problem is that if the library does get the eBook you've purchased, they cannot reserve it for you when it comes in. So you end up taking your chances that others may get it first. So you get 14 or 21 days at least to wait for it. And there is a way using ADE to return an ePub eBook before the borrow time is up and it's not published any place in the library's Overdrive site.

Help the library make it easier for the user and that will make it easier for them.

Oh yes, one thing I just thought of. I've seen libraries purchase eBooks that have an extremely limited appeal. The problem is that there is only so much money for eBooks and buying books that hardly anyone wants is not a good use of their budget. And please please please remind them that not everyone likes romance novels.

JSWolf · 09-10-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

One thing I would suggest, if you do decide to participate, is to mention the problem that libraries seem to have when choosing which ebooks to buy. There are four different series I started with library books, but one of the books in the series (or more) isn't available. There's one series of four books that my library has books 1, 3, and 4. Very frustrating.

Or even worse, they have all of the series in different formats. 1, 3, & 4 are ePub and 2 is WMA or PDF. Not at all a good thing. And yes, it is a very good idea to bring up series. Most of the time people request a specific eBook in a series and the library gets it, but doesn't get the rest or when a new eBook is available in said series, it's not purchased.

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09-10-2010, 03:33 PM	#3
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	Mention that the preferred format for ebooks is ePub. If they find that certain patrons like reading PDF, ask the library if it is feasible to carry both formats for a particular book. ePub books are much easier to read on the most common 5" and 6" devices.

09-10-2010, 03:39 PM	#4
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Mention to them that more Americans have Kindle's and would check out e-books if they used a format readable on the Kindle.

09-10-2010, 05:19 PM	#5
mopping five Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 140 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: nook	ProfCrash, can you give me a link for that information? My google-fu isn't good enough for me to find any good numbers there.

09-10-2010, 05:29 PM	#6
bjones6416 ↓↓ Skirt!! Earrings!! Posts: 3,394 Karma: 17432172 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Georgia, USA Device: Acer netbook, JetBook Lite, Sony PRS-300, Kindle 2, Kindle Fire	Please please please, y'all don't turn this into a nook vs. kindle thread! We've got plenty of those elsewhere. I just wanted to open a discussion about what we want from libraries, that's all. Really.

09-10-2010, 06:15 PM	#7
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	One thing I would suggest, if you do decide to participate, is to mention the problem that libraries seem to have when choosing which ebooks to buy. There are four different series I started with library books, but one of the books in the series (or more) isn't available. There's one series of four books that my library has books 1, 3, and 4. Very frustrating.

09-10-2010, 08:09 PM	#8
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,280 Karma: 101696762 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Also, you can see if they know the particulars about why Macmillan and Simon & Schuster dont permit library lending of their books.