Library lending of ebooks and other digital content is finally gaining a foothold in the industry as publishers and lending institutions come to some measure of agreement on how to make it work. While libraries need access to up-to-date but affordable content, and publishers need some guarantee they they will be compensated for allowing their titles into lending catalogs, the … [Read more...] about Hoopla Digital Redesigns the Digital Library Model
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The eBook Subscription Model is Here to Stay
At an IDPF and BISG panel today as part of its Making Information Pay event, speakers addressed one of the key changes the publishing industry is undergoing: ebook subscriptions. When 24Symbols launched in 2010 as a Netflix-style model for ebook consumption, publishers weren't quick to jump on board, at least not in the US. One reason may have been that the company was simply … [Read more...] about The eBook Subscription Model is Here to Stay
OverDrive to Showcase EPUB3, HTML5 Books at BEA
The International Digital Publishing Forum works at the forefront of digital publishing technology; the stand-alone Digital Book event, hosted in conjunction with BookExpo America, has now grown into a two-day event with a full slate of keynotes and breakout sessions on where technology is headed in the publishing industry.When the IDPF was formed, OverDrive was there to … [Read more...] about OverDrive to Showcase EPUB3, HTML5 Books at BEA
Hoopla Digital Adds New Digital Titles for Libraries
Long before digital content made its way into academic and public libraries, content providers supplied the book, movie, music, and periodical needs of these institutions with physical editions. Ahead of this year's BookExpo event, one of the largest library media providers, Midwest Tape, has announced it will begin providing digital content to libraries through its hoopla … [Read more...] about Hoopla Digital Adds New Digital Titles for Libraries
Smashwords, OverDrive Brings Indie Titles to Libraries
An agreement announced today between ebook distributor and self-publishing platform Smashwords and OverDrive, the largest provider of digital content to public and school libraries, is going to give self-published authors one of the few remaining pieces in the publishing puzzle, namely the ability for libraries to stock their work.As it stands right now, self-published … [Read more...] about Smashwords, OverDrive Brings Indie Titles to Libraries
Kindle FreeTime Just Got Better with Help from OverDrive
One of the more enticing features of Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet, at least for parents, was the option known as Kindle FreeTime. This parental control feature enables parents to set time limits on tablet use, as well as control what content their children can access within the tablet.Even better, the content is divided into educational or entertainment categories, and parents … [Read more...] about Kindle FreeTime Just Got Better with Help from OverDrive
Digital Library Lending Has a Long Way to Go
It feels like every new step in the right direction also leads to a host of new problems and closures for public libraries where digital lending is concerned. It's been years since the first debates over protecting the interests of authors and publishers, with solutions--albeit often pathetic ones--proposed so long ago that the system should have sorted itself out by now. With … [Read more...] about Digital Library Lending Has a Long Way to Go
UK eBook Lending Program a Success for Libraries, Publishers
A recent program for UK libraries to lend ebooks has been considered not only a success for institutions and patrons, but also for publishers given the number of click through sales that resulted from borrows. The report, given at a panel at the London Book Fair this week, was from the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) president Janene Cox.The program, launched on March … [Read more...] about UK eBook Lending Program a Success for Libraries, Publishers
OverDrive eReading Rooms Engage Libraries’ Youngest Patrons
As libraries look for news ways to stay relevant and meet their patrons' needs, increasing numbers of institutions are implementing digital lending. eBook lending, along with movie, music, and audiobook streaming, is helping these entities keep their doors open by offering the content their patrons need in the platforms they want to consumer it.But one area where digital … [Read more...] about OverDrive eReading Rooms Engage Libraries’ Youngest Patrons
New Survey Demonstrates Rise in Library Spending
Library Journal has released the results of its 2014 survey, which tracks materials spending in public libraries across the country. The libraries are categorized according to patron size and circulation size, as well as budget size. In what comes as a tremendous surprise given the frightening state of libraries' crisis-level budgets, spending actually increased … [Read more...] about New Survey Demonstrates Rise in Library Spending
Slashed Budgets Mean Libraries Need Digital Lending More than Ever
Public libraries have been teetering on the brink of extinction for years, a fact that doesn't seem likely to improve in the near future given the economic situations that lead local governments to take aim at the libraries as a primary target. And despite data that shows 91% survey respondents believe libraries are vital to the overall health and growth of a community, they … [Read more...] about Slashed Budgets Mean Libraries Need Digital Lending More than Ever
App Ratings Show Readers Prefer OverDrive for eBook Lending
As library ebook lending for both academic and public institutions continues to make steady progress, libraries are finally able to "shop" the competition to provide the best user experience for their patrons, the largest catalogs of bestselling titles, and investigate the available features of different platforms. With different choices and different publishers participating … [Read more...] about App Ratings Show Readers Prefer OverDrive for eBook Lending
3M Cloud Library Launches in Canada with New Features
eBook lending to public libraries just went international with the first country to benefit from the 3M Cloud Library System. Canadian patrons will now be able to borrow digital content through the provider, including titles from several of the Big Five publishers and hundreds of other publishers."We know that libraries are looking for every possible way to help staff … [Read more...] about 3M Cloud Library Launches in Canada with New Features
Norway’s Answer to eBook Lending: Free Books
As US libraries and subscription models struggle with publishers and rights holders on how to ensure that revenue reaches the right people under lending models, the National Library of Norway seems to have hit on a model that works for them: just give the books away online, and pay the publishers yourself.According to an article in the Telegraph, over 135,000 books will be … [Read more...] about Norway’s Answer to eBook Lending: Free Books
DBW Buzzwords, Interview with Tim O’Reilly
Another great DBW digital publishing conference is behind us, and once again the future looks good for books. Digital books, print books, subscribed books, enhanced books...the industry, the authors, and the consumers are on fire for them, regardless of the format they choose to work in.The buzzwords this year were direct-to-consumer book sales, ebook subscriptions, and … [Read more...] about DBW Buzzwords, Interview with Tim O’Reilly
OverDrive Announces Banner Year for School, Library eBook Lending
As digital library lending continues to take root in public and school libraries, digital content solutions provider OverDrive has seen tremendous forward growth in the number of patron checkouts through libraries. Whereas it took the platform ten years to reach 100 million total checkouts, that number grew to 102 million checkouts in 2013 alone. This represents a 44% increase … [Read more...] about OverDrive Announces Banner Year for School, Library eBook Lending