On Libraries and New Media, powered by Library Journal and School Library Journal
After a long career in collection management at Brooklyn Public Library, and a decade as their Director of Collection Development, Barbara Genco joined Library Journal in fall 2009 as Editor, Collection Management. Follow her on Twitter @BarbaraAGenco.
A groundbreaking new study shows the value of libraries to the book and the ebook business. Publishers Weekly’s Andrew Albanese reports on Library Journal’s newest Patron Profiles research effort in conjunction with Bowker PubTrack Consumer: This month Library Journal released the first issue of a quarterly publication called Patron Profiles. Based on surveys and data […]
Based on the consistent and gradual declines in Kindle prices, some have speculated that Amazon could soon offer them for free, sponsored by advertising or other similar deals. Which raises an interesting question: What would free e-book readers do to the book industry?
“Libraries will serve in the same role they always have: As curators of information for their communities. Librarians are ‘information specialists’ and they will continue to connect readers with all forms of reading. Patrons will come to libraries for recommendations of what to read next and to find and discover relevant information.”
The next big innovation to impact the ebook landscape should be broad availability of text books in electronic format once a business model is reached that publishers can be comfortable with. In the meantime, consolidation of eBook companies and increasing competition is driving innovations for better eBook products and services for libraries.
The long-awaited rollout, first announced in April, will end the notable absence of the popular Kindle device from library ebook lending.
Libraries must develop the right models and collaborate with the right partners to be able to deliver content to their patrons in the correct formats on the devices of choice.
But we separate them for the efficiency of ‘our’ operation. Users pay by being forced to take an additional step. Probably a decision as bad as Netflix and Qwikster.
