Midwest Tape is preparing to launch a digital platform, called Hoopla, later this year. The platform is the well-known company’s first foray into the digital space.
New Version of ‘Userful Desktop’ Released With Zero Client Device From HP
By on March 26, 2012
Userful, which is based in Calgary, Alberta, introduced version 8 of its Userful Desktop product at the Public Library Association conference held in Philadelphia March 13-17.
Videos from AAP Annual Meeting Feature NYPL, ALA Presidents
By on March 22, 2012
Right before the Public Library Association Conference in Philadelphia last week, there was another important get together in New York: the Association of American Publishers (AAP) annual meeting held on March 14, as LJ reported. AAP today posted videos of all four panels, two of particular interest to librarians are below. The first video here […]
Boopsie Approaches Integration in Its Own Way; New Competitor Emerges at PLA | PLA 2012
By on March 20, 2012
The integration of ebook providers’ platforms with library ILSs was a big topic at the PLA conference in Philadelphia last week, with the 3M/Polaris integration leading the way. However, the Boopsie mobile app already accomplishes, in its own way, some of the goals of such an integration, particularly a simple and quick user experience without jumping interfaces.
Ebook Providers, ILS Vendors Move Rapidly to Remove Friction From E-Lending; OverDrive APIs Coming in April | PLA 2012
By on March 20, 2012
Even as anxious publishers are hoping to increase friction in the ebook lending experience, librarians have been clamoring for vendors of integrated library systems (ILS) to make e-lending a unified, sleek experience. Rather than navigating their patrons away from the library’s web presence to Balkanized, often commercial, third-party platforms, each with a different discovery and delivery experience, librarians have been demanding a single, easy-to-use, easy-to-search platform — an integration of the ILS with ebook vendor platforms.
Large California Consortium Joins Movement Toward Library Ebook Ownership
By on March 12, 2012
The largest library network in California is going to adopt the pioneering ebook business model of Colorado’s Douglas County Libraries, which allows libraries to truly own, not rent, their ebooks.
With Axis 360, Baker & Taylor Establishes a Foothold in the Ebook Distribution Market
By on March 7, 2012
Baker & Taylor is one of the oldest print book distributors, but it only recently entered the ebook market with its own fully fledged digital media platform, Axis 360. Since its launch in June 2011, the platform has gained some traction, with 107 libraries having signed contracts as of March 5 (38 sites are live).
Librarians Feel Sticker Shock as Price for Random House Ebooks Rises as Much as 300 Percent
By on March 2, 2012
New prices for Random House’s ebooks took effect on Thursday, and as the details emerged a number of librarians across the country expressed dismay at the doubling and tripling in prices they are seeing.
Two Equity Firms Make Investment in Innovative Interfaces; No Management Changes
By on March 1, 2012
Innovative Interfaces, the third largest North American library automation company in terms of revenue, announced today that two equity firms had invested in the company.
After Survey Shows 86 Percent of Oklahoma Libraries Don’t Offer Ebooks, Librarians Take Action
By on February 29, 2012
Oklahoma had the worst showing with 99 out of 115 library systems (86 percent) not offering downloadable media services, according to a recent COSLA survey. But librarians there have been taking action to rectify the situation.
