Comments on: The Friction Fiction

By: John Schoppert

John Schoppert — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:28:39 +0000

I just saw a presentation for the Douglas County Library at OnlineNW where they explained the processes and advantages of buying their own Adobe Content Server. This effectively cuts out the middleman, Overdrive, and allows DCL to negotiate directly with publishers (for what that’s worth) and create and provide original content.
The possibilities were startling and I feel this is the only way for libraries to go.

By: John Pansini

John Pansini — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:01:44 +0000

Vanderson,

Thanks for the info. I actually work for my local library and I will check into it. The shortsightedness of publishers when it comes to the library market goes back to the 80s — maybe even before that.

A public library will buy many multiple copies of even a mid-list novel. And unlike bookstores, which sell books on consignment, there are no returns.

By: Vanderson Pires

Vanderson Pires — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:23:11 +0000

@John – if your local library has OverDrive, they can possibly arrange to have it uploaded to their OverDrive collection on what’s called “Community Reserve” http://overdrive.com/Resources/PartnerServices/CollectionDevelopment/CommunityReserve.aspx

By: John Pansini

John Pansini — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:10:57 +0000

I’ve published an ebook that I would very much like to have available for library lending via OverDrive. Unfortunately, OD won’t carry my ebook because it’s self-published and I don’t have enough reviews yet.

And who suffers? The public because it’s the first ebook ever to integrate audio into the narrative. ROOFMAN is a nonfiction spy thriller with embedded phone taps of spies and spy-catchers.

By: Nathan @SWONtech

Nathan @SWONtech — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:08:24 +0000

“Perhaps when publishers join the 21st century and start acting like true partners….”
I think publishers have joined the 21st century. It’s put the hammer down on their business model, so they’re doing a power grab.
It’s the kind of move the music industry likes to make. Widespread piracy forced them to come to the table. But then you can rip a CD in 6 minutes or a DVD in 40. A book takes a lot more work to digitize.
This to say, I don’t think it will be piracy that gets publishers to the table. Maybe it will be libraries, leveraging their collective buying power. Whatever it is, I don’t think publishers (the big 6 at least) are our partners. Crossing our arms and huffing about them not playing fair isn’t going to change things. The Kansas system didn’t change out of luck or a benevolent publishing bargainer. It’s time for more libraries to say no.

By: Bobbi

Bobbi — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:07:02 +0000

As someone who has helped library patrons use library ebooks on the kindle I can testify that the process is not frictionless. Even to use the wireless kindle option there are steps that are complicated (and create friction) for many patrons. While these steps may seems “frictionless” to the tech savvy among us they are is no way “frictionless” for patrons. I would ask how many of the spokesman for the publishing industry have actually gone through the proccess to check out a library ebook? If they had I think they would find that a great deal of “lubrication” is needed before the process is “frictionless”

By: bringyournoise

bringyournoise — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:42:01 +0000

“They aren’t interested in our mission.”

Yes. Exactly. Publishers are NOT interested in our mission. And too few others are, either. This is the crux of the problem for public libraries moving forward. If the future is in digital content, and publishers and vendors are unable or unwilling to work with us, then it is up to libraries to determine a future that is not dependent on our collections. And that is the biggest challenge facing us today.