#freading

Ebooks or Physical Books?

With the evolution of the kindle, Apple’s “Books” app and the several ebook app options provided by libraries, there has definitely been a shift in how books are both purchased and rented. These changes have also led to an ongoing debate over whether or not readers prefer to read physical copies of books, or ebooks. I’m not going to discuss audiobooks because that’s something I have yet to try…

With the emergence of e-books and their uses in libraries, the process can be a challenge to incorporate every single title license into a library system. However, a service named Freading by LibraryIdeas has been created in order to add more than 30,000 titles by OCLC. Freading works with many other publishers as well to keep their services updated. Freading also allows patrons to search through their e-book catalog and download their content immediately as well. The user can borrow e-books for up to two weeks, in which after the two weeks, the e-book will then be returned using Adobe's DRM software. Patrons can download e-books with the same title without any extra cost to the library itself.

Freading's services are a great way for a library to assist the needs of all of their patrons' titles that they would like to read. They are also available as app downloads and is a beneficial resource for libraries to not have to worry about acquiring multiple licenses and titles. Over 1,500 libraries have incorporated Freading's services, which is just only $150. Depending on the date the e-book is published, patrons can pay from $0.50 to $2 to borrow a book for two weeks through their token system. Renewal of recently-published books will cost another token while older books can be renewed for free. Despite the patrons having to pay for the token system, seeing as how it helps the library keep such a service for a flat fee of $150 and patrons can borrow books for $2 and under apiece, it appears to be a fair system in which both the library, librarians, and patrons can enjoy and use.

Reference:

Enis, M. (2013, Mar 28). Freading Working on Enhancing Discoverability, Bigger Publisher List. TheDigitalShift. Retrieved from: http://www.thedigitalshift.com/

Recommended Readings/Resources:

Kelley, M. (2012, Apr 12). Freading, the Ebook Sibling of Freegal, Shows Signs of Rapid Growth. TheDigitalShift. Retrieved from: http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/04/ebooks/freading-the-ebook-sibling-of-freegal-shows-signs-of-rapid-growth/