In an interesting juxtaposition in how ebooks were slow to "save" libraries, digital newspapers haven't been the "hit the ground running" salvation of newspapers, especially small town or locally owned news outlets. While it's true that print subscriptions are declining and digital is on the upswing, one keynote speech highlighted the data that says digital adoption isn't … [Read more...] about Digital Is the Only Strategy to Save News Outlets
Digital Library News
Digital Editions Fill the Gaps Where Library Catalogs Dwindle
The digital reading space has come a long way from the era in which public libraries had little to offer in the way of ebooks, digital magazines, or digital newspapers. Some libraries, in fact, such as the Riverside Public Library in California, have face dramatic cuts to their print circulations. According to an article in The Press Enterprise, the library lost nearly 300 … [Read more...] about Digital Editions Fill the Gaps Where Library Catalogs Dwindle
What is the best Solution for Digital Newspapers and Magazines for Libraries?
There are three major companies that market newspapers and magazines to libraries and there is a fair amount of concern about what ecosystem to invest in. Library budgets are finite and the average system can ill-afford in making the wrong choice when investing in digital content for their patrons. Today, we look at the three best ones out there and give you a sense on what … [Read more...] about What is the best Solution for Digital Newspapers and Magazines for Libraries?
Amazon and Overdrive Giving Up on Kindle e-books in Libraries?
Overdrive has been delaying the Kindle editions of e-books in the United States on titles from major publishing companies. No new Kindle edition has been available from Penguin since December of 2014 and since February 2015, not a single e-book from any major publisher has become available. Is this due to a falling out with Amazon or their current contract expiring? Or … [Read more...] about Amazon and Overdrive Giving Up on Kindle e-books in Libraries?
Are Paper Magazines Still Important?
Just as the debate once raged about the state of print-versus-digital book publishing, magazines and newspapers are feeling the pinch of that familiar argument. While supporters on both sides of the book format aisle proclaimed that their preferred format was here to stay and the other was on its way out, the same points could be made of digital news.Jeffrey Trachtenberg of … [Read more...] about Are Paper Magazines Still Important?
Former Walmart Store Transformed Into an Amazing Library
Big box stores such as Walmart proliferate the United States and each location tends to take up close to 2.5 football fields. In total Walmart accounts for 698 million square feet of land in the U.S and the environmental impact is quite staggering. When these stores close, they often fall into a state of disrepair and most retail companies cannot justify such a large location. … [Read more...] about Former Walmart Store Transformed Into an Amazing Library
Libraries Are Concerned About the Lack of New e-books in the Kindle Format
Libraries all over the US have expressed concern to Good e-Reader that the vast majority of new e-book titles from Overdrive are not available in the Kindle format. Â The few books that have been made available are from small presses and not major publishers. Â Is this something to be worried about?Overdrive has the largest market share in facilitating digital e-books, … [Read more...] about Libraries Are Concerned About the Lack of New e-books in the Kindle Format
Irish Times Adds Digital Subscription
The Irish Times is the latest news outlet to make the important leap to offering a subscription to its digital edition, while keeping a freemium paywall in effect. The fairly generous paywall--ten free articles per week on its website, or twenty free articles each week via the mobile app--allows those who have an interest in the outlet's local coverage but may not rely on daily … [Read more...] about Irish Times Adds Digital Subscription
Underserved Communities Turn to Digital Publishing for Local News
When experts mourn the demise of the locally-owned (often family-owned) newspapers, they don't cite things like fast-breaking news or 24-hour headline news coverage; it's the local news and it the hometown coverage that get lost when big name media outlets become the only surviving players in the game. And there is possibly no greater loss in news coverage than that of the … [Read more...] about Underserved Communities Turn to Digital Publishing for Local News
New Industry Takes to Digital Magazine Apps
A variety of industries and business sectors have already seen the benefits in customer loyalty, marketing, and promotion that can come from digital publications, especially in the form of multi-device compatible apps. The hospitality industry, the higher education sector, libraries, and even hospitals have taken to using digital magazines to reach the client base they're most … [Read more...] about New Industry Takes to Digital Magazine Apps
Digital Newspaper Bundling for Added Value
The newspaper industry as a whole has adapted well to digital publishing in order to keep its doors open in an information climate that not only offers free news via the internet, but that competes with internet news for up-to-date accuracy. Digital publishing has offered news outlets the opportunity to continue to reach subscribers and readers while still offering the … [Read more...] about Digital Newspaper Bundling for Added Value
Libraries Experience Challenges with Generating Revenue from e-Books
Libraries all over North America are being challenged with generating revenue from their e-book collection. Digital content automatically expires after 21 days, so there is no way to collect on late fees. Aside from public funding, these fees have been necessary to keep the library sustainable.The Richmond Public Library in British Columbia has a current operating budget of … [Read more...] about Libraries Experience Challenges with Generating Revenue from e-Books
Digital Publishers Turning from Replica Magazines
Digital magazines and newspapers have long fallen victim to the replica syndrome that once plagued ebooks. As mere digital copies of the print original, these versions simply weren't taking advantage of all that the technology had to offer. But thanks to the development of magazine apps, embedded videos and hyperlinks, and other branches of digital formatting, digital magazines … [Read more...] about Digital Publishers Turning from Replica Magazines