3M Library Systems will have representatives discussing new partnerships with INscribe Digital, Smashwords, The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group and the National Book Network (NBN) at next week’s Book Expo America conference in New York, the company announced on May 31. Together, these new partnerships will increase the ebook system’s total list of offerings by more than 100,000, effectively doubling its collection to more than 200,000 titles from more than 300 publishers.
“The incorporation of these titles into the 3M Cloud Library collection will bring readers access to thousands of new voices in publishing,” Tom Mercer, 3M Library Systems digital business development leader, said in a release. “These partnerships exemplify our dedication to continually expanding our offerings, and we’re proud to help libraries and their patrons gain simple access to the independent voices in ebooks.”
Titles from INscribe, Smashwords, Rowman & Littlefield and NBN are expected to begin appearing in the 3M Cloud Library within 90 days, pending completion of technical integrations with the distributors.
The company announcement noted that INscribe Digital offers scalable solutions for publishers of all sizes, as well as agents and authors, and that the partnership will help the 3M Cloud Library “dramatically expand its offerings with emerging publishers,” and increase the speed at which those publishers can upload titles to the 3M Cloud. At BEA, 3M will share further details of its partnership with Smashwords, which already represents more than 40,000 independent authors and small publishers.
With this partnership, Smashwords continues to demonstrate its willingness to work with library ebook lending systems. In March, Baker & Taylor (B&T) announced an agreement with Smashwords that made the independent ebook distributor’s titles to B&T’s Axis360 digital media platform as well.
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