#posts by abiola

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/

As e-books are one of the newest forms of reading literature on mobile devices (or electronic devices), there are still some debate as to how the content should be stored. A traditional book can simply be placed into storage, with the only problem being the acidity of the paper the book was printed on, which may deteriorate over time if not preserved correctly. However, with books in digital format, although when first perceived by users it may appear to last considering the constant development of technology. Data saved on CDs, flash drives, and even portable hard drives have to be accessed over lapsing periods of time, otherwise the data can get old, corrupted, or lost.

With e-books, the content that authors and publishers add to them can change over time by edits and updates. If any publisher were to go out of business, therein lies another problem. Besides digital preservation, there is also another problem where the digital content may expire, which is a loss to the library and even individuals that purchase e-book titles. In the past, if a book publisher were to go out of business, previous purchases of the books would not be affected at all. However, with e-books, current users may not have access to the material at all.

Some methods of preserving data from e-books have been invented. However, considering the costs of these in addition to the general cost of the licensing and distribution of e-books will be a hurdle that librarians will one day have integrated into their infrastructure for patrons to borrow and use at a time. In Ohio, another solution to this problem is that they offer a self-publishing service called the SELF-e publishing program (Bonchak, 2014). Libraries offering a self-publishing service helps their community be self-reliant as well as being innovative. Aspiring authors will feel prompted to write and have their works published and read at a local setting, and if possible, being able to share their work nationwide. This is a better, resourceful option for aspiring authors to publish their e-books as well as supporting their library and community as a whole.

References:

Bonchak, J. (2014, Oct 12). Cuyahoga County Public Library introduces self-publishing platform. PewInternet. Retrieved from: http://www.news-herald.com/

Schott-Rosenfield, A. (2014, Oct 30). Library archivists face contractual, technical challenges in preserving digital materials. Retrieved from: http://www.stanforddaily.com/

Recommended Readings:

LOCKSS.org What is LOCKSS? (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.lockss.org/about/what-is-lockss/

Posted by Abiola Akinpelu

For any book reader, whether in a public library setting or academic setting, a book can be as entertaining as watching a movie. However, with the changes in technology that has occurred thus far, one of the latest devices used for reading are e-readers. E-books was first made to be read on e-readers only. However, as time passed, e-books can now be read on most electronic devices. In an academic setting, students may want to rent or purchase e-books to save money. Even though some students may already own e-books and e-readers, there may be other students that do not even own a vehicle, smartphone, or a laptop. The library is available to serve the needs of its patrons and their access to information without infringing on the media’s copyright (according the fourth Library Code of Ethics). In an academic setting, depending on funding, if there is enough of a demand, then students should be able to check out e-readers to access e-books.

Libraries often have reference books that cannot be checked out from the library. However, depending on copyright and licensing, students may be able to check-out reference e-books (depending on how many licenses that the library has purchased).

Some of the benefits of using an e-book (on an e-reader) can range from portability and borrowing titles (or buying/renting them) as well as promoting literacy. 30% of those who read e-content say they now spend more time reading, and owners of tablets and e-book readers particularly stand out as reading more now (PewInternet, 2014). Reading on an e-reader may allow for those that read (for educational purposes or even for recreational purposes) may pose as a positive benefit. However, some setbacks could be eye irritation from staring at a screen for too long, as well as not being able to underline or edit pages on an e-reader. Although this will benefit the maintenance of books, this may make it harder for students trying to highlight or bookmark important notes. In addition to this, a librarian may have to purchase up to thirty copies of a textbook if students in a class do decide to get their e-textbooks solely by borrowing them from the library. If this were the case for EVERY class, there probably would not be enough money in the budget for other services.

Having legally licensed e-books at academic libraries would be of a great benefit to students that are finding different ways to save money on textbooks for class (myself included). However, in regards to e-readers, some students may not be interested in the idea, especially since they are costly and may affect the university library budget in a different light. Rental fees per semester may offset the cost, however, the idea to have such a service would rest solely on the students.

References:

ALA.org Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/

The rise of e-reading. (2012, Apr 4). PewInternet. Retrieved from: http://libraries.pewinternet.org

Wexelbaum, R. S. & Miltenoff, P. (July 2012). Challenges to E-Reader Adoption in Academic Libraries.  Library Faculty Publications. Paper 20. Retrieved from: http://repository.stcloudstate.edu/lrs_facpubs/20

Recommended Readings:

Chrisman, K. R. (2014, Apr 7). The Rise of E-Books and a Shrinking Library Catalog. Consumer Eagle. Retrieved from: http://www.consumereagle.com/